Laparoscopic surgery of the bile ducts.

Laparoscopic surgery of the bile ducts is evolving rapidly. Laparoscopic bile duct exploration is reaching wide application and is competitive with postoperative ERCP for treatment of choledocholithiasis. Staging laparoscopy is an important laparoscopic advance that is increasing resectability rates for pancreatic and hepatic tumors through laparoscopic detection of unresectable tumors. Bile duct injury is an important problem in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Classification, avoidance, and management are discussed.