Traditional surgical management of common bile duct stones: a prospective study during a 20-year experience

To analyze the operative findings and evaluate the hospital morbidity and mortality. This experience is documented in order to provide a basis for comparison with therapeutic alternatives.

Prospective data were collected on 579 patients who underwent elective (n = 443) or emergent (n = 136) operations between 1970 and 1990. Their mean age was 60.1 years. Prior biliary symptoms were present in 96% and suggestive of choledocholithiasis in 69%. Acute pancreatitis was associated in 3%.

Cholecystectomy was performed with intraoperative cholangiography in 85% of cases. Stones were extracted via the cystic duct in 18%, through a choledochotomy in 79%, and through an additional sphincterotomy in 3%. Cholangioscopy has been routinely used since 1977. The incidence of extraction of the stones via the cystic duct increased and the incidence of biliary-enteric bypass decreased significantly during the second decade. Complications occurred in 24.5% of the patients. General complications were significantly fewer in the second decade than in the first (6% versus 15%). The main biliary complications were related to biliary tubes (5%) and retained stones (5%). Ten patients (2%) required early reoperation. The overall mortality rate was 0.3%. Mortality was 1.4% after emergency operations and zero after elective operations and in patients under 60 years of age. The mean stay was 16.6 +/- 7.2 days, decreasing with time.

Traditional open surgery is an effective and safe option for the management of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis. The choice between open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and endoscopic sphincterotomy should be made for each patient according to the local availability and efficacy of these methods.