Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a non-invasive imaging test with excellent overall sensitivity and specificity for demonstrating the level and the presence of a biliary obstruction. MRCP has emerged as an accurate, diagnostic modality for investigating the biliary and pancreatic duct. In some cases, it has been recommended that preoperative MRCP is a good choice for the detection of CBD stones.
The aim of the study is to assess the value of preoperative MRCP on the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
The randomized study was carried out on 100 patients aged 16–65 years, admitted in Baghdad Teaching Hospital between 2013 and 2015. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed for them. 45 patients had preoperative MRCP followed by conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while 55 patients underwent only laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The findings of the two groups were compared.
In the first group: pre-operative MRCP screening exposed clinically silent CBD stones in 2 patients (4.44%), while one patient (2.22%) had accessory cystic duct and another one had an abnormal insertion of cystic duct (2.22%). In the second group, 4 patients had postoperative complications (P < 0.05): residual stones, postoperative bile leak, jaundice and pancreatitis.
