Selective operative cholangiography.

This is a study of 505 patients who underwent surgical treatment of the gallbladder. Of this group, 343 were operated upon without operative cholangiography with an incidence of retained stones of 0.03 per cent. One hundred and ten underwent operative cholangiography according to five indications. These are: stones in the common duct on ultrasound or roentgenography; obstructive jaundice; dilation of the common duct greater than 1.2 centimeters; previous cholangitis, and preoperative pancreatitis. The advantages of selective operative cholangiography versus routine cholangiography are discussed in detail. We concluded that the selective operative cholangiography should be the preferred procedure.