Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration with a novel articulating forceps.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out of 90 patients who underwent laparoscopic transcholedochal CBD exploration for choledocholithiasis between May 2006 and June 2014. Forty-five patients underwent laparoscopic choledocholithotomy using the routine instruments (group A). Forty-five patients underwent laparoscopic choledocholithotomy using the routine instruments plus the novel articulating forceps (group B). The 2 group populations were similar with regard to demographic data and clinical presentations.
Results: Laparoscopic transcholedochal CBD exploration was successful in all 90 patients. The mean diameter of the CBD was 14.42 mm in group A and 14.73 mm in group B (P > .05). The average number of stones extracted per patient was 4.22 in group A and 4.67 in group B (P > .05). The patients in group A had a significantly longer operative time than the patients in group B (109.38 vs 80.49 minutes; P < .01). The intraoperative blood loss was minimal in both groups, and no major complications were observed in either group. The mean hospitalization stay was 6.60 days in group A and 5.58 days in group B (P < .01).
Conclusion: Laparoscopic transcholedochal CBD exploration with the novel articulating forceps is a safe and effective approach to the management of choledocholithiasis that offers a short operating time and short postoperative hospital stay.
Keywords: choledocholithiasis; choledochoscopy; choledochotomy; common bile duct; laparoscopic.
© The Author(s) 2015.