AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL FOR LAPAROSCOPIC COMMON BILE-DUCT EXPLORATION

The development of an effective and reliable technique for laparoscopi c common bile duct exploration has been limited by the technical diffi culty of the procedure and the lack of a suitable animal model with a bile duct diameter large enough to accommodate the fiberoptic choledoc hoscope and other instruments used for stone extraction. Short-term bi le duct ligation in the dog provides a simple and reproducible animal model that enables the surgeon to gain experience with laparoscopic co mmon bile duct exploration in a laboratory setting. This model will en able the surgeon to develop the technical skills necessary to perform laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. In addition, the model may facilitate the development and refinement of new techniques and instru ments that will facilitate laparoscopic common bile duct exploration i n the clinical setting.