Laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration: surgical indications and procedure strategies

LTCBDE combined with or without modified techniques is safe and efficacious for the management of gallstones and concomitant, even large, common bile duct (CBD) stones.

To describe the surgical indications and procedure strategies of laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE), a retrospective analysis of 205 patients with concomitant gallstones and CBD stones treated using LTCBDE between June 2008 and June 2015 was performed. Clinical data on disease characteristics, methods for cystic duct incision and CBD stone extraction (with or without laser lithotripsy), and surgical outcomes were collected and reviewed.

CBD stones were successfully cleared in all patients. No patient was converted to choledochotomy or laparotomy. The cystic duct diameter ranged 3–8 mm, and 85 patients with cystic duct diameter ≥ 5 mm. The mean time for CBD stone extraction was 25.3 min, with the operative time ranged from 63 to 170 min. Lithotripsy was used in 74 (36.1%) patients among which 26 patients with cystic duct diameter ≥ 5 mm. Estimated blood loss during surgery was 10–120 ml per patient, and no intra-operative blood transfusions were needed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.1 (range 3–7) days, and postoperative complications developed in seven patients. No bile duct injury, stricture, remnant, recurrent stones, or other adverse events were observed during the mean follow-up of 8 months.

Based on preoperative MRCP and intra-operative IOC findings about cystic duct diameter, the diameter of CBD, CBD stone size, we summarized and proposed the surgical indications and suitable techniques and strategies during LTCBDE.