Safety and Feasibility of Primary Closure Following Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration for Treatment of Choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND: T-tube drainage following laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration may lead to T-tube displacement and water–electrolyte disorders, affecting patients’ quality of life. In particular, biliary peritonitis may develop in a small number of patients after T-tube removal, requiring reoperation. This prospective cohort study was performed to investigate the safety and feasibility of primary closure following laparoscopic CBD exploration for the treatment of choledocholithiasis. METHODS: Patients who were treated for choledocholithiasis by laparoscopic CBD exploration with primary closure from January 2019 to March 2022 comprised the PC group (n = 145). Patients who were treated for choledocholithiasis by laparoscopic CBD exploration with T-tube drainage during this period comprised the TD group (n = 153). Perioperative and follow-up outcomes were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The TD and PC groups showed significant differences in the operation time (124.6 ± 40.8 vs. 106 ± 36.4 min, P = 0.000) and postoperative hospital stay (7.1 ± 2.6 vs. 5.9 ± 2.0 days, P = 0.000). No significant difference was observed in terms of blood loss, the ratio of conversion to laparotomy, and postoperative parameters. Preoperative albumin and total bilirubin levels were the risk factors of bile leakage after surgery. No patients developed CBD stricture or carcinogenesis, The rates of residual and recurrent stones in the TD and PC groups were 1.97% vs. 1.40% and 1.31% vs. 1.40%, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 1.000 for both). CONCLUSIONS: Primary closure following laparoscopic CBD exploration is safe and feasible for selected patients with choledocholithiasis.