The Condition : The bile duct connects your liver with your intestine. Sometimes this duct can become blocked with a gallstone. This can produce jaundice (yellow skin) and possibly severe infection. A laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is performed to removed these stones.
Jaundice (yellow skin)
Itching all over
Very dark (tea-colored) urine
Very light (clay-colored) stools
Crampy pain abdominal pain
In severe cases: fever, pain, jaundice, and confusion
Oftentimes the common bile duct exploration is done at the same time of a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal). The surgeon will make about 3-4 small incisions in your abdomen. A port(nozzle) is inserted into one of the slits, and carbon dioxide gas inflates the abdomen. This process allows the surgeon to see inside of your abdomen more easily. A laparoscope is inserted through another port. The laparoscope looks like a telescope with a light and camera on the end so the surgeon can see inside the abdomen. Surgical instruments are placed in the other small openings and used to explore the common bile duct and remove any stones. This is done by making a small cut on the duct, and then inserting a flexible scope and flexible instruments inside the duct. Stones are removed with metal snares. After the duct has been explored and cleaned, the carbon dioxide is released out of the abdomen through the slits, and then these sites are closed with sutures or staples, or covered with glue-like bandage and steri-strips. A temporary rubber drain (pencil-thin tube) may be left in your common bile duct, with the end of this drain exiting from your skin.
Sometimes stones in the common bile duct are removed by placing a scope down your throat and into your intestine. This is known as an ERCP. Or, a catheter can be inserted into your side to gain access into the bile duct. This is known as a PTC. Your doctors can discuss with you the best approach to treat your problem.
