Preoperative imaging workup for laparoscopic abdominal surgeries; the liver, the gallbladder, and the pancreas

Current status of the preoperative radiological workup for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, hepatectomy, and pancreatic surgery are described. For gallbladder surgery, MRC and/or DICCT can provide useful information regarding the presence of common bile duct stones and the anatomy of the biliary system. For liver surgery, CTA/CTAP may be necessary for the detailed intrahepatic vascular anatomy. For pancreas surgery, thin-sliced MDCT with various reconstructed images may provide sufficient information. Although preoperative imaging technique specifically tailored for laparoscopic surgery is not established, continuous communication between radiologists and surgeons may be important to make it more useful for the surgeons, and also to improve the outcome of the patients.