Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration

Abstract

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the procedure of choice for laparoscopically skilled surgeons when dealing with both chronic and acute cholecystitis. When choledocholithiasis is encountered in the treatment of these patients the skilled laparoscopist has several treatment options available to treat the patient in one stage and avoid the morbidity of endoscopic sphincterotomy. Although still controversial, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration has been shown to be safe, applicable, and cost-effective in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. This report details several laparoscopic treatment alternatives for choledocholithiasis.