Significance of the cystic node in preventing major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a technical marker.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with an increase in biliary injuries, particularly in acute inflammatory conditions. The cystic lymph node enlarges in most cases of acute cholecystitis. Staying lateral to the node avoids major bile duct injury during dissection of the cystic duct and cystic artery. An enlarged cystic node can thus be used as an endpoint in the dissection of the Calot triangle.