Intraoperative cholangiography and bile duct flushing in 47 dogs receiving laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease: A retrospective analysis

Objective To describe a laparoscopic approach for performing intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) and bile duct flushing (BDF) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in dogs. To investigate the clinical outcomes of dogs undergoing these procedures for the treatment of benign gallbladder disease, ie gallbladder mucocele (GM) or cholecystitis. Study design Retrospective study. Animals Forty‐seven client‐owned dogs. Methods Medical records of client‐owned dogs with benign gallbladder diseases that underwent IOC and BDF during LC between September 2016 and December 2019 were reviewed. Of these dogs, only dogs with GM or cholecystitis were included in the study. The fundus dissection first method was used for LC. Intraoperative cholangiography and BDF procedures were performed laparoscopically using a catheter inserted into the cystic duct following dissection within the subserosal layer of the gallbladder. Videos recorded during each procedure were reviewed, and data on procedure duration, completion, outcome, and technical approach were recorded. Results Forty‐seven dogs were included in the study. The median procedure time for BDF and IOC was 4 min (range, 2‐48 min), and no intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. Conclusion During LC, BDF and IOC were performed safely and successfully. Intraoperative cholangiography identified obstructions and strictures in the common bile duct that were not detected using BDF alone. Clinical significance Our findings suggest that BDF and IOC are both safe and time effective and should be considered for routine use by surgeons during LC.