Aim: The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of the laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones in an unicentric series of 30 patients.
Methods: From January 2001 to April 2004. 30 patients: 23 women, 7 men (mean age: 54 years). underwent a common bile duct exploration for lithiasis through a laparoscopic approach. The patients were hospitalized for angiocholitis (n = 12), cholecystitis (n= 4), jaundice (n = 4), pancreatitis (n = 3), abnormality of hepatic tests (n = 7). All the patients underwent an intra operative cholangiography. Removal of the stones was tried in 30 cases through a choledochotomy. never through the cystic duct, using Dormia and Fogarty catheters. External biliary drainage with T tube (kehr) and postoperative cholangiography was done systematically.
Results: In 21 patients (70 %), removal of the stones was laparoscopically successful. The average diameter of the common bile duct was 10.5 mm (range 6-20 mm). The median number of stones was 5 (E: 1-12). The median operation time was 180mn (range 150-300mn). In 9 patients, a conversion into laparotomy was necessary for several reasons. In 2 patients with residual common bile duct, the stones were treated successfully by endoscopic sphincterotomy. There was no mortality and the morbidity rate was 10 %. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 14.7 days (range 7-18days) and 13.3 days in case of successful laparoscopic management.
Conclusion: In 70 % of the patients, the treatment of the common bile-duct lithiasis could be achieved laparoscopically, but conventional approach and endoscopic sphincterotomy are still useful in case of failure of the laparoscopic management.