The importance of postoperative choledochoscopy for management of retained biliarytract stones

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
From 1974-8, 808 postoperative choledochoscopy procedures, conducted by insertion of choledochofiberscope into the biliary tract through the sinus tract after the T-tube had been removed, were carried out in 292 patients at Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. In this series, 104 with retained biliary tract stones were encountered, and complete removal of stones was successfully carried out in 101, using postoperative choledochoscopy. Any failures of removal of retained biliary tract stones were attributed to improper insertion of the T-tube. The T-tube, of at least 18 French calibers should be inserted into the common bile duct at a right angle so as to obviate a tortuous sinus tract.