Gallstones
Common Bile Duct (CBD) Exploration
What is a
Bile Duct Exploration
Sometimes gallstones migrate out of the gallbladder and become trapped in the common bile duct, leading to jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes) or pancreatitis.
About this procedure
If stones are detected in the duct, our surgeons perform an exploration of the bile duct, often at the same time as the gallbladder removal. This involves using a small camera (choledochoscope) or X-ray (cholangiogram) during surgery to locate and remove the blockage.
Recovery timeline
Recovery is similar to standard gallbladder removal, though an additional night in hospital may be required for observation to ensure bile is flowing correctly into the digestive system.