Clinical application of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy for treatment of gallstones with common bile duct stones in primary hospitals

Objective To summarize the clinical application of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy for treatment of gallstones with common bile duct stones in primary hospitals. Methods The clinical data of 46 patients who were diagnosed as having gallstones with common bile duct stones and underwent laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy from March 2010 to December 2013 were analyzed. Results All 46 patients successfully completed the combined minimally invasive procedure, and none was converted to open surgery. The mean operating time was 100 ± 20. 2 min. The mean length of hospital stay was 7. 0 ± 1. 4 days. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 77 ± 21 ml.Forty- one cases had laparoscopic T- tube drainage. Three cases had primary suture of the common bile duct. Two cases had stone extraction by choledochoscopy. No severe postoperative complications such as residual stones and bile leakage were observed. Conclusion The minimally invasive procedure of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy for treatment of gallstones and common bile duct stones has multiple advantages, including low risk, fast recovery, and high patient satisfaction. This application could be adopted in primary hospitals.