PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS IN LAPAROSCOPIC CH OLECYSTECTOMY - IS INTRAVENOUS-INFUSION CHOLANGIOGRAPHY STILL A USEFUL TECHNIQUE

Laparocopic cholecystectomy requires essentially the safe exclusion of choledocholithias. The aim of this study was to compare the intraveno us cholangiography and ERCP in addition to a basic programm (case hist ory, laboratory results ultrasound) with references to the diagnostic ability and therapeutic consequences in patients with choledocholithia sis. The results show that the intravenous cholangiography not provide s extra important informations after the case history, ultrasound and laboratory findings and therefore its general use is not justified. In stead of the intravenous cholangiography the preoperative ERCP should be performed generously if choledocholithiasis is suspected, especiall y because the ERCP offers the possibility to extract the stone.