M A Y 2 0 1 9 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 5 1
F
or all the benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a
persistent problem continues to plague one of the most
commonly performed surgical procedures: bile duct
injuries (BDIs). This dreaded complication can turn an
otherwise routine same-day gallbladder removal into an
emergency — and a medical malpractice suit. BDIs are the No. 1 liti-
gated case against surgeons, responsible for 1 in 5 malpractice claims.
Your Road to Safer Lap Choles
Strategies to prevent bile duct injuries during gallbladder removal.
Salvatore Docimo Jr., DO, FACS | Stony Brook, N.Y.
• IMPROVED TECHNIQUES Any technology that can nearly eliminate the risk of injury to the common bile duct structure dur-
ing a laparoscopic cholecystectomy would be ideal.