How Should Bile Duct Stones Be Detected and Treated When Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Is or Is Not Contemplated?
It is estimated that 8 to 15 percent of patients under age 60 and 15 to 60 percent of patients over 60 undergoing cholecystectomy have common duct stones. These stones can be a major source of morbidity, and optimal care requires their detection and removal either prior to a planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy, during cholecystectomy, or postoperatively.
