Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy and transductal T-tube insertion with indocyanine green fluorescence imaging and laparoscopic ultrasound: A case report

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy for a large impacted common bile duct (CBD) stone is a challenging procedure because of the technical difficulty and the possibility of postoperative complications, even in this era of minimally invasive surgery. Herein, we present a case of large impacted CBD stones. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old man showed a distal CBD stone (45 mm × 20 mm) and a middle CBD stone (20 mm × 15 mm) on computed tomography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography failed due to the large size of the impacted stone and the presence of a large duodenal diverticulum. Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy was decided, and we used a near-infrared indocyanine green fluorescence scope to detect and expose the supraduodenal CBD more accurately. Then, the location, size, and shape of the stones were detected using a laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound. The CBD was opened with a 2-cm-sized vertical incision. After irrigating several times, two CBD stones were removed with the Endo Babcock(TM). T-tube insertion was done for postoperative cholangiography and delayed the removal of remnant sludge. The patient had no postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy by transcholedochal approach and transductal T-tube insertion is a safe and feasible option for large-sized impacted CBD stones.