To evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in the treatment of bile duct calculi.

Clinical data of 236 patients with bile duct calculi in Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital between September 2012 and March 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. There were 98 males and 138 females, aged from 15-95 with a median of 58 years old. Laparoscopic surgery was performed via four-port approach. The anterior wall of common bile duct was cut in a length of 0.5 to 1.5 cm below the junction of cystic duct and common bile duct. Calculi were removed with a choledochoscope under laparoscope. After the calculi were removed completely, incision of the common bile duct was primarily sutured with 4-0 absorbable thread or a T tube was placed for drainage.

LCBDE was performed successfully on 233 patients, with a rate of conversion to open laparotomy 1.3%(3/236), including 1 case was converted to laparotomic radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder carcinoma, 2 cases receiving laparotomic hepaticojejunostomy for hilar bile duct stricture. 225 cases underwent common bile duct exploration, 8 cases underwent cystic duct exploration. 161 cases underwent primary suture of common bile duct, and 72 cases received placement of T tube. The calculi incarcerated in the lower end of common bile duct or deep located at intrahepatic bile duct in 16 cases were removed completely after lithotripsy under a choledochoscope. The median length of operation was 95(60-225) min, the intraoperative blood loss was 60(20-250) ml, and the postoperative length of stay was 6.5(4.0-15.0) d. No perioperative death was observed, and the incidence of postoperative complications was 6.9%(16/233), including 9 cases of bile leakage, 3 cases of residual calculi, 3 cases of mild pancreatitis and 1 case of peritoneal effusion. The patients were followed up for 10-40 months, and no recurrent calculi or biliary stricture occurred.

LCBDE is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical treatment for patients with bile duct calculi, which is characterized by less trauma, rapid recovery and less complications.