Narcotics and spasm of the sphincter of Oddi. A retrospective study of operative cholangiograms.

The operative cholangiograms of 112 patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy were reviewed independently and retrospectively by two radiologists who were not aware of the anaesthetic technique used. Fifty four patients who received opioid drugs either pre- and/or intra-operatively comprised one study group whilst 58 patients who received no opioids comprised the other. Spasm of the sphincter of Oddi was observed in two patients in the opioid group and in one patient in the non-opioid group. The use of opioid drugs as part of the anaesthetic management for cholecystectomy did not appear to interfere with the radiological interpretation of operative cholangiography nor to increase the low incidence of spasm of the sphincter of Oddi.