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Comparative Study
. 2025 Apr 12;25(1):155.
doi: 10.1186/s12893-025-02904-x.

Laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct in patients with common bile duct stones: a comparative analysis of two suturing methods in terms of safety, efficacy, and convenience with 16-month follow-up

Yizhou Sun #  1   2 , Shengyi Zhou #  3 , Shan Tang  1   2 , Zuoan Li  1   2 , Andong Xu  4   5
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct in patients with common bile duct stones: a comparative analysis of two suturing methods in terms of safety, efficacy, and convenience with 16-month follow-up

Yizhou Sun et al. BMC Surg. .

Abstract

Background: Primary suturing of the common bile duct (CBD) is increasingly used in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for selected patients, though the optimal suturing method remains unclear. This study compares the efficacy of continuous versus interrupted sutures for primary CBD closure in patients with CBD stones.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 patients with CBD stones who underwent primary CBD closure at Yancheng First People's Hospital from October 2022 to December 2023. Data included demographics, hospital stay, complications, and follow-up outcomes. Of these, 69 received continuous sutures, and 51 received interrupted sutures.

Results: No significant differences were found in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), CBD diameter, preoperative bilirubin levels, or stone residuals between groups. The incidence of postoperative fever, bile leakage, electrolyte disturbances, bleeding, wound infection, and CBD stricture was similar. Continuous suturing required less operative time than interrupted suturing (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Both continuous and interrupted suturing techniques are safe and effective for CBD closure in selected patients, though continuous suturing is more time-efficient.

Keywords: Common bile duct stones; Continuous suturing; Interrupted suturing; Minimally invasive surgery; Primary closure of the common bile duct; Retrospective study.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: This retrospective study was carried out in compliance with the ethical guidelines of the institutional and national research committee, as well as the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its subsequent amendments or equivalent ethical standards. The Institutional Review Board of Yancheng First Hospital waived the requirement for ethical approval due to the study’s non-invasive nature and the use of de-identified patient data. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Steps for Continuous Primary Suturing of Common Bile Duct Stones under Laparoscopy. A Start suturing the common bile duct approximately 2 mm from the upper end of the cut. B-C Continuous full-thickness suturing of the common bile duct. D Complete the first stage of the common bile duct suturing using continuous suturing
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Steps for Interrupted Primary Suturing of Common Bile Duct Stones under Laparoscopy. A Start suturing the common bile duct about 2 mm from the upper end of the incision. B-E Perform interrupted full-thickness suturing of the common bile duct. F Complete the first stage of the common bile duct suturing using interrupted suturing
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