The Lapu-Lapu City Hospital performed and completed its first intraoperative cholangiography (X-ray imaging procedure) during a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), a milestone in patient care.

The procedure was made possible through the hospital’s newly acquired C-arm machine and was performed last February 8, 2026.

A C-arm machine is a "mobile, C-shaped medical imaging device based on X-ray technology, used primarily for real-time fluoroscopy to provide high-resolution images during surgical, orthopedic, and emergency procedures." 

"The procedure involves the introduction of a special dye to clearly outline the bile ducts, allowing safer and more precise imaging of the biliary tract, which connects the gallbladder to the liver," according to the Lapu-Lapu City Information Office (IO) in a post on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. 

City Hospital Administrator Dr. Kevin Lynart Omnes underscored that the operation marks a "new application of the C-arm machine, benefiting not only orthopedic surgeries but also general surgical procedures."

With C-arm technology, surgeons achieve real-time and accurate detection of gallstones, reduce the risk of injury to surrounding structures, and ensure no stones remain during surgery, Lapu-Lapu City IO added.

"The hospital also expressed gratitude to the city government for its continued commitment to improving healthcare services. Under the leadership of Mayor Cindi King-Chan, the administration’s support has helped make advanced surgical care more accessible to Oponganons," the post said further.