Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration
If stones are identified at surgery, then in some cases it is possible to remove the bile ducts with keyhole surgery. This avoids a further procedure (ERCP) after your surgery.
Transcystic Duct Exploration
If the on table cholangiogram demonstrates a stone in the bile duct, this can be removed through the opening made in the cystic duct. This is performed by passing a basket into the cystic duct and catching the stone. Complete removal of the stone can be assessed by repeating the cholangiogram. Not all stones can be removed using this technique as the cystic duct may not be wide enough. In this situation the bile duct can be entered directly - see below.