Three-dimensional identification of the cystic infundibulum-cystic duct junction: a technique for identification of the cystic duct in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: The main cause of bile duct injury (BDI) at laparoscopic cholecystectomy is misidentification of the common bile duct as the cystic duct (CD). The aim of this article is to introduce a modified technique, i.e., three-dimensional identification of the cystic infundibulum (CI)-CD junction, to prevent misidentification-induced BDI during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: The CI was extensively dissected to expose its anterior, interior-superior and inferior-dorsal aspects. With the CI nearly circularly dissected out, the CI and the appearance-indicated CI-CD junction might be three-dimensionally identified and the reality of the CI-CD junction as well as the reality of the CD could be precisely judged. RESULTS: Overall 10 BDIs were documented in this group. Since BDI occurred in 8 of 4382 patients receiving laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the technique for prevention of misidentification-induced BDI was established. Among the late batch of 7618 patients, only two BDIs were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional identification of the CI-CD junction is a reliable, feasible and relatively low experience-dependent technique to prevent most of misidentification-induced BDI.

Non-image diagnosis of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of simple non-image technique in intraoperative diagnosis of bile duct injury (BDI). METHODS: BDI was highly suspected at the original laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) when the following 3 abnormal findings were noted: the "cystic duct" stump (the common bile duct stump actually) markedly retracted down to the duodenum; bile leakage from the porta hepatis; abnormal mucosal patch attached to the "cystic duct" stump of the removed gallbladder. All cases of suspected BDI were converted to have laparotomy. image techniques such as intraoperative cholangiography or ultrasonography were not utilized for recognition of BDI in all 9 patients. RESULTS: BDI in 4 of the 9 patients was suspected according to 1-3 abnormal intraoperative findings described above. The four patients were subjected immediately to converted laparotomy. Abnormal findings were not observed or misinterpreted in the other 5 misdiagnosed patients. CONCLUSIONS: Timely recognizing whether BDI occurs should be considered as a routine procedure of LC. Negligence of operators to the abnormalities of the original LC is the main cause of misdiagnosis for BDI. Simple non-Image approaches such as close observation of these abnormalities can make timely diagnosis for most BDIs during the original LC.