Ten-year experience on common bile duct exploration without T-tube insertion

Common bile duct (CBD) exploration has been a procedure necessary to remove stones which are not removable by endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). T-tube was installed mainly in the concern of bile leakage after procedure. But T-tube itself can only cause bile peritonitis and thus, prolonged discomfort and care after operation. In addition, in the era of laparoscopy, T-tube insertion adds much operation time and is technically difficult for installation during the procedure.

Our case of open cholecystectomy and primary closure of CBD not leaving T-tube (n=28, group I) with reports dating from July 1998 to June 2007 is presented here to see whether primary closure without T-tube is safe as compared with T-tube inserted cases performed at the same center (n=15, group II). Operative cholangiography, CT scan, ultrasound and biochemical data were followed up for both groups and surveyed on operative complications as well to determine the outcomes.

Bile leakage in 1, recurrent stone in 2 and obstructive jaundice in 1 were all considered during the follow up period among 28 group I patients (n=6), when compared to T-tube inserted group II patients with 2 bile peritonitis, 1 residual stones and 1 pancreatitis (n=4), showing no meaningful differences (p=0.07).

CBD exploration and direct primary closure not leaving T-tube is an acceptable operational option as recently tried in many choledochotomies.