Objective To explore clinical effect of primary suture following laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in treatment of patients aged over 70 years old with common bile duct (CBD) stones. Methods The clinical data of 62 patients aged over 70 years old with CBD stones underwent the LCBDE from January 2013 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 30 patients underwent the T tube drainage (T tube drainage group) and 32 patients underwent the primary suture (primary suture group) following the LCBDE. The intraoperative and postoperative statuses of these two groups were compared. Results There were no significant differences in the gender, age, body mass index, preoperative comorbidities and ASA classification, number and maximum diameter of CBD stone, and diameter of CBD between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the operative time, hospitalization cost, rates of total postoperative complications and readmission between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the T tube drainage group, the amount of intraoperative bleeding was less (P<0.05) and the postoperative hospital stay was shorter (P<0.05) in the primary suture group. Conclusion Primary suture is safe and feasible following LCBDE for patients aged over 70 years old with CBD stones in case of strict indications and proficiency intraoperation and it is more beneficial to recovery of patient.