Effect of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) from cystic duct in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

The effectiveness of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) through the cystic duct during laparoscopic operation was evaluated in 11 patients with cholelithiasis. The IDUS probe (2mm diameter) was inserted easily through the cystic duct to the common bile duct in 10 of 11 patients. Residual common bile duct stones were detected by IDUS in 2 patients who had already performed endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). In one patient, common bile duct stone was detected by IDUS, that was not detected by intraoperative cholangiography. In another patient only one common bile duct stone was demonstrated by intraoperative cholangiography, however, 2 stones were revealed by IDUS. We suggest that IDUS in useful for the detection of small stones that were difficult to demonstrate by intraoperative cholangiography, and effective to ascertain the presence of residual stones after endoscopic treatment for common bile duct stones.