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. This procedure can be performed using a mininmally invasive technique or endoscopically.
Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which is inserted through a small incision. The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera - smaller than a dime - which projects a view of the operative site onto video monitors located in the operating room. Two or three additional small incisions are made near the laparoscope through which the surgeon inserts specialized surgical instruments. The surgeon uses these instruments to explore the common bile duct and adjacent structures.
Once the stones are located, a flexible endoscope is used to retrieve them. A temporary tube may be in place after the operation to drain excess bile. Following the procedure, the small incisions are closed and covered with surgical tape.
