Preliminary experience with intracorporeal laparoscopic ultrasonography using a sector scanning probe. A prospective comparison with intraoperative cholangiography in the detection of choledocholithiasis.

Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a novel technique which may be useful in screening for choledocholithiasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Following concerns regarding the "learning curve" and accuracy associated with the adoption of this user-dependent technology, we have prospectively evaluated a commercially available 90 degrees sector scanning laparoscopic ultrasound probe during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 60 patients and identified common duct stones in nine patients (one "false positive" and "one false negative"), and previously unsuspected duct stones were defined in three out of four patients. The gallbladder and portal vein were constantly defined anatomical landmarks throughout the study, whereas the suprapancreatic bile duct, intrapancreatic bile duct, and pancreatic duct were identified in 100%, 80%, and 85% of patients in the third consecutive group of 20 patients examined. Laparoscopic ultrasonography has the potential to accurately identify common duct stones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and thereby implement a policy of "superselective" operative cholangiography. However, adequate training for surgeons unfamiliar with this technology is recommended.