Changes in bile duct diameter after cholecystectomy: a 5-year prospective study.

In this prospective study, we have measured with ultrasound the diameter of the common hepatic duct and the common bile duct in a series of 24 patients having elective cholecystectomy. Preoperative measurements by ultrasound were compared with measurements taken directly from operative cholangiograms and excellent correlation was observed (r = 0.938). Studies were repeated 1 mo, 12 mo, and 5 yr after operation. Of 21 patients returning for study at 5 yr, there were 4 patients with 1-mm ducts before surgery who showed an increase in the size of the common hepatic duct but in none was the final measurement greater than 4 mm. Mean common hepatic duct diameter (n = 21) increased from 3.95 mm before to 4.48 mm 5 yr after surgery (p = 0.24, paired t-test). Common bile duct was more easily seen after cholecystectomy and of 13 ducts satisfactorily measured 1 and 5 yr after surgery, 7 showed an increase in size (mean common hepatic duct 1 yr = 4.77 mm, 5 yr = 5.92 mm, p = 0.059, paired t-test). Significant dilatation of the common hepatic duct was seen in only 2 of 21 patients, but a strong trend to minor dilatation was observed in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy.