Laparoscopic trancystic choledocholithotomy as an adjunct to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rapidly becoming the standard operation for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Initially, common duct stones presented a barrier to this treatment modality and are said to be unsuspected in 5-9 per cent of patients. A technique is described that removes common bile duct stones through the cystic duct with a flexible nephroureteroscope, thereby extending the range of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.