Laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones: Our experience

Introduction: Common Bile Duct stones (CBD) are found in approximately 16% of the patients undergoing Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Till recently, the gold standard for treating CBD stones was endoscopic removal, if that failed, then open surgery. However, in the laparoscopic era, the best treatment for CBD stones is a matter of debate and it continues to evolve. The objective of the present study is to determine that laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) is a safe, feasible and single-stage option for the management of CBD stones. Materials and Methods: Out of the 2900 laparoscopic cholecystectomies between 1998-2004 we did selective intraoperative cholangiogram in 262 patients who were suspected to have CBD stones based on deranged liver function tests, dilated CBD with or without CBD stone on sonography or having the history of recent jaundice / pancreatitis. If CBD stone was found, either a transcystic or transcholedochal exploration was done depending on the size, site, number of stones and CBD diameter. Choledochotomy was closed over a t-tube in the majority of the patients. Primary closure of CBD was done in few patients and in one patient we placed an antegrade stent and in another we placed endoscopic stent into the CBD laparoscpically which was removed after four weeks. Results: Till date we have performed LCBDE in 64 patients. Transcystic exploration was done in 14 patients and transcholedochal exploration was done in 46 cases out of which 2 patients had minor biliary leak which settled on conservative treatment in 2-3 days. Four patients required conversion to open surgery as there were multiple stones. We did not have any major complication and on 6 months follow-up in 76% patients, none was found to have residual stone. Conclusion: The treatment of CBD stones depends on the resources available, technical limitations and the surgeon’s expertise. Laparoscopic CBD exploration is a safe, feasible and single-stage option for the management of CBD stones.