A miniature probe enables clear demonstration of the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

We performed intraoperative ultrasonography with a miniature probe to explore the biliary anatomy, especially the cystic duct, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. By using this radial-type probe introduced into a hard metal sheath with a balloon at the end, the plane containing Calot's triangle can be scanned easily when the gallbladder is extracted to the right side, thereby facilitating the identification of the cystic duct as well as the common ducts. In 30 cases, no common duct stone was found and the cystic duct was clearly identified. This radial-type miniature probe can be used to locate the cystic duct and avoid inadvertant incision or division of the common ducts.