Routine extensive dissection of the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy to reduce the risk of residual choledocholithiasis: an unnecessary step and a potentially hazardous concept

INTRODUCTION: Post-cholecystectomy choledocholithiasis can occur from retained stones at the cystic duct stump remnant; however, most surgeons would not proceed with extensive dissection of the cystic duct during routine cholecystectomy, mainly in fear of inadvertent bile duct injuries, given the frequent anatomical variations of the extrahepatic biliary tree. AIM: To determine the need and feasibility of extensive dissection of the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, to reduce the risk of post-cholecystectomy choledocholithiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of our institutional database of all patients who had magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) prior to cholecystectomy over a 3-year period (03/2016-04/2019), assessing the anatomical variations of the cystic duct and the incidence of cystic duct stones. RESULTS: During the study period, from a total of 763 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones, 284 had undergone pre-operative MRCP and were all included in the final analysis. The typical right lateral insertion of the cystic duct in the midpoint between the confluence of the main hepatic ducts and the ampulla of Vater was identified in less than 50% of the patients. In our series, cystic duct stones were present only in 1.8% of our patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of significant anatomical variations and the low likelihood of incidental cystic duct stones render prophylactic extensive dissection of the cystic duct during standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy a rather unnecessary and probably hazardous step.