Laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct-report on two cases and literature review

The optimal management of the common bile duct stone in the era of laparoscopic surgery is not certain. The common policy is selective preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When ERCP fails, the common bile duct is explored via open surgery. New techniques of laparoscopic trancystic exploration of the common bile duct and laparoscopic choledochotomy exploration of the common bile duct are now being tried. The results of two case reports are discussed.