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Evaluation of laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones in 220 patients
J C Berthou1, F Drouard, P Charbonneau
1Clinique Chirurgicale Mutualiste, Lorient, France.
Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and results of laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones (CBDS).
Methods:
From October 1990 to November 1996, 220 patients with CBDS have been managed laparoscopically. CBDS were suspected or diagnosed preoperatively in 130 patients (59.1%) and at intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) in 90 patients (40.9%). A transcystic duct extraction (TCDE) was attempted in 112 patients and a primary choledochotomy in 108 patients.
Results:
TCDE was successful in 77 cases (68.8%). The 35 failures were treated by 29 laparoscopic choledochotomies, 1 intraoperative and 5 postoperative endoscopic sphincterotomies (ES). A choledochotomy was thus performed in 137 cases and was successful in 133 cases (97.1%). The four failures were managed by three laparotomies and one postoperative ES. The overall success rate was 95.5% (210/220). There was 4 deaths (0.9%) within the 1st postoperative month in ASA 3 patients and the morbidity rate was 9.1% (20/220). There were 7 residual stones (3.2%).
Conclusions:
Laparoscopic desobstruction of CBDS appears to be safe and effective and has the advantage to be a single-stage procedure. It could become in the future with refinement of instrumentation and skill of surgeons the best treatment for the majority of patients harboring CBDS.