[Diagnostic measures before laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Successful use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy requires good cooperation between surgeon and gastroenterologist. Standard preoperative workup includes detailed history of the patient, blood chemistry of serum bilirubin and liver enzymes as well as sonography for the detection of common bile duct stones. Intravenous cholangiography can be performed to diagnose anatomic variations of the bile ducts. In case of common bile duct stones "therapeutic splitting" by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with sphincterotomy and gallstone extraction preoperatively may help to avoid unnecessary conventional open cholecystectomy.