choledochotomy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist Medical Term)Formal, Technical (Medical/Surgical)
Quick answer
What does “choledochotomy” mean?
A surgical incision into the common bile duct.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A surgical incision into the common bile duct.
The act or procedure of cutting into the choledochus (common bile duct), typically to remove gallstones or address obstructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling and usage are identical. The procedure is standardized in international medical practice.
Connotations
Purely technical, with no cultural or regional connotations beyond the medical field.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to surgical reports, textbooks, and specialist discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “choledochotomy” in a Sentence
The surgeon performed a choledochotomy [on the patient] [to remove the stones].Choledochotomy is indicated [for impacted calculi].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “choledochotomy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The surgical team decided to choledochotomise the duct to facilitate extraction.
- It is seldom necessary to choledochotomise in laparoscopic procedures.
American English
- The surgeon elected to choledochotomize the duct for better access.
- If the scope fails, we may need to choledochotomize.
adverb
British English
- The duct was accessed choledochotomically.
- The stones were removed choledochotomically.
American English
- The surgeon approached the duct choledochotomically.
- The obstruction was relieved choledochotomically.
adjective
British English
- The choledochotomy incision was closed with fine sutures.
- He described a choledochotomy approach.
American English
- The choledochotomy site was leaking bile post-op.
- A choledochotomy procedure carries specific risks.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical research papers, surgical textbooks, and case studies detailing hepatobiliary procedures.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context. Found in operative notes, surgical plans, and discussions between hepatobiliary specialists.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “choledochotomy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “choledochotomy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “choledochotomy”
- Misspelling as 'choledocotomy' (missing 'h').
- Confusing it with 'cholecystotomy' (incision into the gallbladder).
- Using it in non-medical contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialized procedure performed only when less invasive methods (like ERCP) fail or are not suitable, typically for large or impacted bile duct stones.
Choledochotomy is an incision into the bile duct. Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. They are different procedures, though they may be performed during the same operation.
Yes, laparoscopic choledochotomy is a advanced minimally invasive technique, though it requires significant surgical skill and is less common than the open approach.
Risks include bile leakage, infection, bleeding, stricture (narrowing) of the duct later on, and injury to nearby structures like blood vessels.
A surgical incision into the common bile duct.
Choledochotomy is usually formal, technical (medical/surgical) in register.
Choledochotomy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒlɪdəˈkɒtəmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊlɪdoʊˈkɑːtəmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHOLE' (bile) + 'DOCHO' (duct, from Greek 'dochos') + 'TOMY' (cutting). A cutting into the bile duct.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEDICAL PROCEDURE IS A JOURNEY OF ACCESS (e.g., 'The path to the stone required a choledochotomy').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a choledochotomy?