Bile duct diameter changes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography prospective study

AIM: To assess the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct diameter dilatation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (35 women, mean age 54.58 ± 11.83 years) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of gallstones. The intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts were measured before and three and six months after cholecystectomy. The diameter was measured in the anteroposterior and laterolateral direction at 14 points. RESULTS: When compared with the preoperative diameter, the common bile duct diameter at the proximal part was significantly wider three months (P = 0.006) and six months (P = 0.0001) after cholecystectomy; the common hepatic duct was significantly wider three months (P = 0.001) and six months (P = 0.003) after cholecystectomy; the right and left hepatic bile ducts were significantly wider six months after cholecystectomy (P < 0.0001, P = 0.01, respectively); and the segmental intrahepatic bile ducts in both hepatic lobes were significantly wider three months (P < 0.0001) and six months after cholecystectomy (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that significant post-cholecystectomy dilatation occurred only at certain points and not along the whole extrahepatic bile duct. We also found a significant dilatation of the main intrahepatic and segmental intrahepatic bile ducts.