Objective To investigate the effect of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy on common bile duct (CBD) stones with primary suture of the CBD. Methods Totally 523 patients of gallbladder stone companied with CBD stones or choledochectasia (diameter ≥0.8 cm) from September 1998 to December 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Results The primary suture of the CBD incision was successfully performed in 487 patients. The CBD stones were completely removed during the operation in 400 patients. Nothing was found in 87 cases. In 10 cases conversion to open surgery were performed and in 26 cases the T tube drainage was put into the CBD in choledocholithotomy. Average operative time was 90 min and average bleeding volume was 50 ml. All patients took food at 24 h, returned general activity on 2-3 d and discharged on 5 d after operation. Postoperative biliary leakage occurred in 29 cases with drainage average volume of 35 ml/d and continued 1-6 d, which were cured by non-operation therapy. Conclusions The primary suture of the CBD during the laparosocopy combined with choledochosopy in choledocholithotomy is a safe and effective operation with less invasion, less pain and quicker recovery. CBD incision suture without T tube drainage can be done when CBD stones are cleared completely and no stenosis is found in extrahepatic bile duct.
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.