New guidelines endorse routine use of intraoperative cholangiography in gallbladder surgery

Surgeons now have clear guidance favoring routine intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign biliary disease. Conditional recommendations highlight IOC’s superiority over fluorescence imaging and confirm its use in both adult and pediatric patients. Additionally, laparoscopic ultrasound remains a viable option. The guidelines stem from a systematic review and input from practicing surgeons, aiming to enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes while identifying future research needs to bolster the evidence.