Effect of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) from cystic duct in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

We evaluated the effectiveness of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) from t he cystic duct during laparoscopic operation to diagnose common bile duct s tones in patients with cholelithiasis. The IDUS probe was inserted easily t hrough the cystic duct in 13 of 15 patients, Residual common bile duct ston es were detected by IDUS in 2 patients, however these were not detected in intraoperative cholangiography. We suggest that IDUS is useful for the dete ction of small stones that were difficult to demonstrate by intraoperative cholangiography.