The utilization of cystic duct cholangiography.

The patient records at two hospitals were reviewed to ascertain the incidence of unsuspected common duct stones and to evaluate the patterns of utilization of routine and selective intraoperative cystic duct cholangiography. The incidence of unsuspected common duct stones discovered only by cystic duct cholangiography was 4.3 per cent. Unnecessary common duct exploration was performed on 5.3 per cent of patients undergoing routine cystic duct cholangiography because of false-positive cholangiograms. The use of routine and preexploratory cystic duct cholangiography was significantly different at the two hospitals studied. Choledochotomy without preexploratory cystic duct cholangiography resulted in unnecessary common bile duct explorations in 44 per cent of patients. Although routine cystic duct cholangiography will identify unsuspected common duct stones, it is associated with an equal incidence of unnecessary common duct exploration. Preexploration cholangiography is an essential procedure which diminishes unnecessary choledochotomy and facilitates accurate demonstration of biliary tract pathology.