Management of Common Bile Duct Stones in the Era of Laparoscopic Surgery

Strategies of minimally invasive treatment for intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones

Cholelithiasis is a kind of common and multiple diseases. In recent years, traditional laparotomy has been challenged by a minimally invasive surgery. Through literature review, the therapeutic method, effect, and complications of minimally invasive treatment of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones by combining our practical experience were summarized as follows. (1) For intrahepatic bile duct stones, the operation may be selected by laparoscopic liver resection, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE), or percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy. (2) For concomitant gallstones and common bile duct stones, the surgical approach can be selected as follows: laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) or endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation, LC plus laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration, LC plus LCBDE, and T-tube drainage or primary suture. (3) For concomitant intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones, laparoscopic liver resection, choledochoscopy through the hepatic duct orifice on the hepatectomy cross section, LCBDE, EST, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy could be used. According to the abovementioned principle, the minimally invasive treatment approach combined with the surgical technique and equipment condition will be significant in improving the therapeutic effect and avoiding the postoperative complications or hidden dangers of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones.

Management and Outcome of Borderline Common Bile Duct with Stones: A Prospective Randomized Study

INTRODUCTION

Management of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients with borderline CBD presents a surgical challenge. The aim of this study was to compare conservative treatment with endoscopic stone extraction for the treatment of borderline CBD with stones.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled trial includes patients with CBDS in borderline CBD (CBD <10 mm) associated with gallbladder stones who were treated with conservative treatment or endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). The primary outcome was successful CBD clearance. The secondary outcomes were the overall complications, cost, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

LC and IOC revealed complete clearance of CBDS in 48 (96%) cases in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) group (52% of patients by ERCP, and 44% of patient passed the stone spontaneously), and in the remaining two patients, the CBDS was removed by transcystic exploration. In the conservative group, LC and IOC revealed complete clearance of CBDS in 90% of cases, and in the remaining 10% of patients, the CBDS was removed by transcystic exploration. Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is noticed significantly in the ERCP group (2 [4%] versus 8 [16%]; P = .04). The average net cost was significantly higher in the ERCP group. Recurrent biliary symptoms developed significantly in the ERCP group after 1 year (10% versus 0%; P = .02) in the form of recurrent cholangititis and recurrent CBDS.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of CBDS in patients with borderline CBD represents a surgical challenge. Borderline CBD increases the technical difficulty of ERCP and increases the risk of PEP. Conservative management of CBDS in borderline CBD not only avoids the risks inherent in ERCP and unnecessary preoperative ERCP, but it is also effective in clearing CBDS. The hepatobiliary surgeon should consider a conservative line of treatment in CBDS in borderline CBD in order to decrease the cost and avoid unnecessary ERCP.