Initial experience of intraoperative fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Fluorescent cholangiography (FC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a novel method to facilitate real-time visualization of extrahepatic biliary structures that avoiding risk of bile duct injury. Aims of this study are to investigate the feasibility and the safety of FC during LC. METHOD: We evaluated the outcomes of FC during elective LC at our hospital from August 2017 to April 2018. Fifty-five patients who underwent FC during elective LC were enrolled in this study. Demographic and peri-operative data were recorded and analyzed. The primary endpoints were visualization rate of FC during LC. The secondary endpoint was the optimal conditions and technical details for FC included to detect any potential adverse event. RESULTS: The visualization rate after FC of the cystic duct, common hepatic duct and common bile duct were increased significantly compared to before FC. The identification rate of the cystic duct and common bile duct were not associated with BMI and history of acute cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: FC enabled real-time visualization of extrahepatic biliary structures during LC. FC appears to be a safe and efficient approach for elective LC.