Gallstones have formed in humans for thousands of years, with the first documented account in 1420. Although the significance of gallstone disease may not have been known at that time, it quickly became apparent at the turn of the twentieth century, when the world's first cholecystectomy was performed. In the twenty first century, endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques have become more accepted and their use more widespread. Minimally invasive techniques have revolutionised the approach to choledocholithiasis. Morbidity and mortality have continued to improve. The vast majority of ductal stones in Western countries are formed within the gallbladder and migrate down the cystic duct into the common bile duct. These are classified as secondary CBD stones, in contrast to the primary CBD stones that form in the bile duct itself. Secondary stones are usually cholesterol stones, whereas primary stones are usually of the brown pigment type. The primary stones are associated with biliary stasis and infection. If the endoscopic and laparoscopic methods are not feasible. For patients with symptomatic gallstones and suspected common bile duct stones, bile duct clearance and cholecystectomy are indicated. This may be safely achieved either with preoperative ERCP followed by surgery or by going directly to surgery with intraoperative cholangiogram and common bile duct exploration to address retained stones. Both approaches are considered safe and effective, and no formal recommendation exists to definitively support one over the other. If a choledochotomy is performed, primary repair can be considered in large ducts, while smaller ducts should be repaired over a T-tube. If a common bile duct exploration was performed and a T tube left in place, a T-tube cholangiogram should be obtained before its removal, at least several weeks after its placement. If the stones were left in place at the time of surgery or diagnosed shortly after the cholecystectomy, they are classified as retained. Those diagnosed months or years later are termed recurrent . Retained or recurrent stones following cholecystectomy are best treated endoscopically. A generous sphincterotomy will allow for stone retrieval as well as spontaneous passage of stones. Alternately, retained stones can be cleared via a mature T-tube tract (4 weeks) if one was placed at the time of surgery. To do this, the T-tube is removed and a catheter passed through the tract into the common bile duct. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the stones can be retrieved with baskets or balloons.
DETAILS OF THE STUDY:
Design Of Study: Prospective Study
Period Of Study: 6 months
Collaborating Department: Surgical Gastroenterology
Selection Of Study Subjects: All patients satisfying inclusion criteria coming to General Surgery Department, Government Rajaji Hospital for a period of 6 months
Data Collection: All patients coming to general surgery with Obstructive Jaundice and diagnosed to have choledocholithiasis
Method : Prospective Study
Ethical Clearance: Obtained
Consent : Individual written and Informed consent Analysis: chi-Square test, Student paired t-test
Conflict Of Interest: None
Financial Support: Nil From The Institution
Participants : Patients from Casualty and OPD.
Sample Size : 40
Study Place : GRH, Madurai
Inclusion Criteria
1. Patients between 25-65 yrs of age groups in both sexes admitted in GRH Madurai
2. Patients consented for inclusion in study according to designated pro forma
3. Patient with radiological evidence of choledocholithiasis
4. Patients indicated for open CBD exploration
5. Patients contraindicated for laparoscopic CBD exploration
Exclusion Criteria
1. Patients less than 25yrs and more than 65 years
2. Patient not consented for undergoing study
3. Patients with multiple comorbid illness
4. patients in whom ERCP stone retrieval, lap CBD exploration can be done