Perioperative cholangiography: a case study at Yaounde (Cameroon)]

For many years peroperative cholangiography has been routinely used for bile duct surgery in the Western countries. However recent publications showing high rate of inconclusive peroperative cholangiography (47%) has cast doubt on this attitude. Surgeons in Africa and particularly in Cameroon have already replaced peroperative cholangiography with other indicators such as clinical history and preoperative echography, anticipating cholangitis. For some indications, e.g. Mirizzi syndrome, peroperative cholangiography is essential for surgery. The fluoroscopes required for this exploration should be made available in our hospitals since they are also needed for traumatology, vascular surgery, and other specialities. In addition this syndrome may be more common in our region.