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Updated: Mar 6, 2026
Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Followed by Primary Suture Using a Modified Bile Duct Incision
Published on: May 2, 2025
Outcomes of Laparoscopic vs Open Common Bile Duct Exploration: Analysis of the NSQIP Database
Hamzeh M Halawani1, Hani Tamim, Farah Khalifeh
1Department of Surgery, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon Department of Immunology and Microbiology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon Clinical Research Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Background:
Common bile duct exploration (CBDE) is an available option in the management of choledocholithiasis. We aimed to analyze outcomes comparing laparoscopic and open approaches to CBDE using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) NSQIP database.
Study Design:
This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing CBDE between 2008 and 2013, using the ACS NSQIP database. The cohort was split into 2 groups and compared based on operative approach: laparoscopic vs open CBDE.
Results:
There were 2,635 patients who underwent CBDE during the study period, and 52% underwent an open approach. After adjusting for all confounding variables, open CBDE was associated with a statistically significant increase in mortality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.95; 95% CI 1.18 to 7.41; p = 0.02), composite morbidity (AOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.56 to 3.07; p < 0.0001), bleeding (AOR 1.86; 95% CI 1.11 to 3.12; p = 0.02), return to the operation room (AOR 1.90; 95% CI 1.16 to 3.12; p = 0.01), and readmission related to the first operation (AOR 1.55; 95% CI 1.00 to 2.39; p = 0.05). On the other hand, retained common bile duct stones were 2.8 times more likely to occur in the laparoscopic group. The mean operative time was longer by 73 minutes for patients who underwent open CBDE.
Conclusions:
Patients undergoing open CBDE suffer from a statistically significantly higher rate of mortality and overall complications compared with patients undergoing the laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopic CBDE should be considered as the preferred procedure whenever possible.
