Understanding Choledochoplasty: A Surgical Procedure for Bile Duct Repair

Choledochoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves the repair or reconstruction of the common bile duct. The common bile duct is a tube that carries bile from the liver and gallbladder to the small intestine, where it helps digest fats and absorbs fat-soluble vitamins.

The procedure may be necessary if there is damage to the common bile duct due to injury, inflammation, or cancer. The goal of choledochoplasty is to restore normal flow of bile through the duct and prevent complications such as infection, bleeding, or obstruction.

There are different types of choledochoplasty procedures, including:

1. Choledochotomy: This involves making an incision in the common bile duct to remove any blockages or scar tissue.
2. Choledochostomy: This involves creating a new opening in the common bile duct to allow for better drainage.
3. Choledochoplasty with cholangiocystectomy: This involves removing the gallbladder and the affected part of the bile duct, and then reconstructing the bile duct using a piece of the small intestine.
4. Laparoscopic choledochoplasty: This is a minimally invasive version of the procedure, where a laparoscope (a thin tube with a camera and light) is inserted through small incisions in the abdomen to visualize the common bile duct and perform the repair.

The specific type of choledochoplasty procedure will depend on the individual patient's condition and the extent of the damage to the common bile duct. Your surgeon will be able to advise on the best course of treatment for you.