The significance of hepatectomy for primary intrahepatic stones

The objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of performing hepatectomy for primary intrahepatic stones. Observations on the morphology of the bile ducts, histopathological findings of the excised liver, and treatment results were reviewed in 29 of 35 patients with primary intrahepatic stones. The remaining 6 patients (17.1%) were excluded because they had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The subjects were classified into two groups according to the morphological characteristics of the bile ducts; one group comprised 25 patients having strictures in the central bile duct, and another group comprised 4 patients having no biliary stricture, but a localized dilatation in the distal bile duct. Calcium bilirubinate stones were found in all the patients with a biliary stricture, whereas cholesterol stones were found in those without a biliary stricture. Hepatectomy was performed in 25 of the 29 patients (86.2%), the results of which were excellent. In fact, during the past 10 years, no postoperative complications have occurred, nor have there been any retained or recurrent stones. Moreover, the postoperative hospitalization period was as short as 15.3 days. The findings of this study indicate that hepatectomy allows treatment for primary intrahepatic stones to be completed within a short period of time without incurring serious postoperative complications, and serves as a useful prophylactic technique for recurrent stones.