ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE

The preliminary results of a study evaluating the use of intraoperative ultrasonography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy are presented. The study is focused on two aspects of the ultrasound application; the assessment of possibility and place of access to the peritoneal cavity when attempting laparoscopy in patients who previously underwent abdominal surgery, and the assessment of the final state of the biliary tract after completion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Twenty-two patients entered the study and in 21 of them successful intraoperative examination of biliary tract could be performed. The current pilot study allows the conclusion that it is possible to visualize and examine the biliary tract during the course of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Moreover, using ultrasonography prior to laparoscopy it is possible to estimate a safe access area for the introduction of the trocars. Ultrasonography allows detection of areas where adhesions between peritoneum and abdominal wall are present.