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What is a common bile duct exploration?
The common bile duct is a tube that connects the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the small intestine and helps deliver fluids for digestion.

A common bile duct exploration is a procedure used to see if a stone is blocking the flow of bile from your liver and gallbladder to your intestine.
 
When is it used?
When a stone becomes stuck in the common bile duct it may cause bile to back up into the liver, which causes jaundice. Jaundice is a condition in which the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellowish. If the stone isn't removed, the common bile duct may become infected and need emergency surgery. This procedure is often done during surgery to remove the gallbladder.

You could try an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Another alternative is to choose not to have treatment, recognizing the risks of your condition. You should ask the doctor about these choices.
 
How do I prepare for a common bile duct exploration?
Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.

Follow any instructions your doctor may give you. Eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.

What happens during the procedure?
You will be given general anesthesia. It will relax your muscles and make you feel as if you're in a deep sleep. It will prevent you from feeling pain during the operation. The doctor makes a cut in your abdomen and locates the common bile duct. Then he or she injects a liquid dye into the duct and takes an x-ray. This may show if and where there are stones.

If stones are found, the doctor will make a cut in the duct and remove them. He or she will try to be sure there are no other stones. The doctor will then insert a tube into the duct and bring the other end out through the skin so the bile can drain into a bag. This tube may stay in place from 7 days to many weeks. The doctor may inject more dye through the tube into the duct, and take an x-ray to see if it is clear. If it is, the doctor will remove the tube.

What happens after the procedure?
You may be sore for a few days and will be fed intravenously during that time since your intestines will be slow to start working again. If you have a tube draining your common bile duct, you may stay in the hospital for 1 to 4 days. After this time there will be no limits on your diet that were not there before the treatment.

Avoid strenuous activity, such as lifting, for 4 to 6 weeks.
Ask your doctor what other steps you should take and when you should come back for a checkup.

What are the benefits of this procedure?
If stones were removed, you will no longer have the discomfort of a blocked duct, and less chance of getting jaundice and inflammation.
 
What are the risks associated with this procedure?

• There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your doctor.

• Swelling or scarring may damage the duct.

• Bile may leak from the duct.

• The doctor may have to open your small intestine.

• You may develop an infection, and if the doctor has to reopen the cut and insert a tube to allow the infection to drain, it may take longer to heal.

• Bleeding may occur.

You should ask your doctor how these risks apply to you.

When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor after the procedure immediately if:

• You have abdominal pain.

• Your wound becomes red, warm, or very sore or starts to drain fluid.

• You develop nausea and vomiting.

• You develop a fever.

Call the doctor during office hours if:

• You have questions about the procedure or its result.

• You want to make another appointment.