AbstractThree cases are reported in which unabsorbable suture material used to ligate the cystic duct at chole‐cystectomy was subsequently found within the lumen of the extrahepatic bile‐ducts. In 2 cases well‐formed gall‐stones having a central nucleus of either silk or nylon were removed from the common bile‐duct. In the third case two braided nylon sutures were found within the stump of the cystic duct. The use of absorbable suture material for ligating the cystic duct is therefore re