Follow-up of 161 unselected consecutive patients treated laparoscopically for common bile duct stones

Aim was to study the incidence of recurrent ductal stones and of biliary strictures at follow-up after laparoscopic treatment of gallstones and common bile duct stones and to update the short-term results.

Ductal stones were proven in 161 patients of 1,975 (8.1%) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic transcystic CBD exploration was the method of choice. If this was unsuccessful, laparoscopic choledochotomy was performed. After treatment, all patients were enrolled in a continued, ongoing follow-up study.

Laparoscopic CBD exploration was completed in 157 cases (transcystic 107, choledochotomy 50). Retained stones occurred in eight patients (5%) and major complications (cystic duct leakage, hemoperitoneum) in six (3.8%); mortality occurred in one high-risk patient (0.6%). Follow-up available in 154 patients (two unrelated deaths) for a period of up to 62 months showed the occurrence of recurrent ductal stones in five cases (3.2%) and no signs of bile stasis, suggestive of ductal stricture, on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings.

This prospective, ongoing follow-up study demonstrates that laparoscopic treatment of gallstones and common bile duct stones in unselected patients is feasible and safe.