Intraoperative microscopy of bile—is it useful?

Abstract

Abstract Direct microscopy of the bile was performed during cholecystectomy in 111 patients in an attempt to identify those with a high risk of wound infection. Bacteria were identified in 23 patients, 11 of 83 undergoing cholecystectomy alone and 12 of 28 undergoing exploration of the common bile duct (P < 0·01). These 23 patients were randomly allocated to an antibiotic group or a control group; there was one wound infection in the antibiotic group and two in the control group. A total of 14 patients developed wound sepsis. Infection was more likely if the common bile duct was explored (6 of 28) rather than cholecystectomy alone (8 of 83). There was a poor correlation between microscopy and culture of the bile for bacteria and there was no increase in sepsis when bacteria were observed on microscopy. We were not able to identify a high risk group of patients by intraoperative microscopy of bile.