What surgical procedure may be done to demonstrate biliary anatomy and rule out residual biliary stones?

What surgical procedure may be done to demonstrate biliary anatomy and rule out residual biliary stones?

• A. Surgical/operative cholangiography
• B. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
• C. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• D. HIDA scan

Answer: (A)

The surgical procedure that is specifically performed to demonstrate biliary anatomy and rule out residual biliary stones is surgical or operative cholangiography. This procedure typically involves the injection of contrast material directly into the biliary tree during surgery, often when the gallbladder is removed, which allows for real-time visualization of the bile ducts using fluoroscopy. It is particularly useful in identifying any remaining stones in the biliary system and can help guide further surgical intervention if necessary.

In contrast, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a non-surgical procedure that involves endoscopy and fluoroscopic imaging to examine the bile and pancreatic ducts but does not involve direct surgical intervention. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is primarily a technique for gallbladder removal rather than a diagnostic procedure for biliary stones. A HIDA scan assesses the function of the gallbladder and the biliary system using a radioactive tracer, but it does not provide direct visualization of stones or biliary anatomy. Thus, surgical cholangiography is the procedure specifically designed for evaluating the biliary system post-surgery while targeting the potential presence of stones.