Cholecystectomy and Exploration of the Common Bile Duct
This webpage will give you information about a
cholecystectomy and exploration of the bile duct. If you have any
questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant health
professional.
What are common bile-duct stones?
Common bile-duct stones are gallstones that get stuck in the
common bile duct, which is a tube that connects the gallbladder to
your intestines. The likelihood of developing gallstones increases
with age and in people who eat a diet rich in fat.
Common bile-duct stones can cause jaundice, severe infection of
the bile duct or inflammation of the pancreas.
What are the benefits of surgery?
You should be free of pain and able to eat a normal diet.
Surgery should also prevent the serious complications that common
bile-duct stones can cause.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
An ERCP is a procedure that uses a flexible telescope to examine
the bile duct and to remove stones by a sphincterotomy. A stent may
also be inserted to relieve jaundice.
It is possible to dissolve the stones or even shatter them into
small pieces but these techniques involve unpleasant drugs and side
effects, have a high failure rate and the gallstones usually come
back.
Antibiotics can be used to treat any infections of the
gallbladder and common bile duct. A low-fat diet may help to
prevent attacks of pain.
However, these alternatives will not cure the condition.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and
usually takes between one and two hours.
Your surgeon may use the laparoscopic (‘keyhole’) technique.
Your surgeon will make several small cuts on your abdomen. They
will place surgical instruments, along with a telescope, inside
your abdomen and perform the operation (see figure 1).
Figure 1 - The gallbladder and surrounding
structures
Your surgeon will first look for and remove any stones from the
common bile duct. To allow bile to drain out, your surgeon will
usually place a T-shaped tube into the common bile duct, with one
end coming out through your skin.
Your surgeon will then separate the gallbladder from the liver,
and remove it.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Unsightly scarring
- Blood clots
2 Specific complications
- Damage to internal organs
- Developing a hernia near one of the cuts
- Surgical emphysema
- Retained stones
- Stones forming again
- Narrowing of the common bile duct
- Leaking of bile
- Persistent pain
- Diarrhoea
- Inflammation in the abdomen
- Bowel injury
- Serious damage to the liver
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home within a day or two.
Your surgeon will ask you to go to the clinic to have the T tube
removed.
You should be able to return to work after three to four weeks
depending on the extent of surgery and your type of work.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
You should make a full recovery and be able to eat a normal
diet.
Summary
Gallstones can move into the common bile duct. An operation to
remove your gallbladder and any stones in the common bile duct
should result in you being free of pain and able to eat a normal
diet. Surgery should also prevent the serious complications that
common bile-duct stones can cause.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Simon Parsons DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.) and Mr Irfan Ahmed
FCPS FRCS
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.