Why perform a Common Bile Duct Exploration?
The common bile duct is a tube that connects the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the small intestine and helps to deliver fluids that aid digestion. A cholangiogram is an x-ray that determines if a stone is blocking the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder to the intestines. A common bile duct exploration is indicated if a stone is blocking the common bile duct. One of the complications of common bile duct blockage is jaundice, a condition that results in a yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes. If a stone in the common bile duct is not removed, the duct may become infected, resulting in emergency surgery. Common bile duct exploration is often done during surgery to remove the gallbladder. How is Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration performed? Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which is inserted through a small incision in the flank (the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and hip). The laparoscope is connect
