Advantages of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in common bile duct stones

To compare the efficacy, safety, and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and open common bile duct exploration for treatment of common bile duct stones.

In total, 210 patients were prospectively randomized into 3 groups: laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and open common bile duct exploration. The primary outcome measures were the common bile duct stone clearance rate and the complication rate. The secondary outcome measures were mortality, total costs, and length of hospital stay.

The success rates in the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration group (97.14%, 68 out of 70) and open common bile duct exploration group (98.57%, 69/70) were significantly higher than that in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography group (85.71%, 60/70, both p < 0.05). The complication rates in the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration group (2.86%, 2/70) and open common bile duct exploration group (1.43%, 1/70) were significantly lower than that in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography group (14.29%, 10/70, both p < 0.05). The success rate and complication rate were not significantly different between the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration group and open common bile duct exploration group (both p > 0.05).

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration provides an alternative therapeutic approach that was safer and more reliable, allowed for earlier recovery, and provided more cost-effective treatment of common bile duct stones.