UNSUSPECTED CHOLEDOCHAL CYST DURING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Cystic dilation of the extrahepatic bile ducts is rarely encountered d uring elective biliary surgery planned for different indications, We r eport here on a patient with unremarkable preoperative workup and norm al intraoperative anatomy of the cystic pedicle in whom a type I chole dochal cyst containing a large stone was detected by the combined use of laparoscopic contact ultrasonography and intraoperative cholangiogr aphy. This case report highlights the importance of intraoperative ima ging modalities of the ductal system not only in preventing iatrogenic injuries and their related complications, but also in detecting unsus pected associated biliary pathology which might significantly change t he course of surgical intervention.