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Issue: No. 11TA (2026)
Section: Article
DOI: 10.58490/ctjump.2026i11TA.4876
Date Published: 25/06/2026
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Nguyen, L. G. K., Nguyen, V. T., Mai, V. D., Nguyen, V. H., Lam, H. H., Tran, T. T., Duong, D. T. P., & Vo, T. A. T. (2026). OUTCOMES OF LAPAROSCOPIC COMMON BILE DUCT EXPLORATION COMBINED WITH INTRAOPERATIVE CHOLEDOCHOSCOPY FOR CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS: A PROSPECTIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY. Cantho Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, 11TA, 79-85. https://doi.org/10.58490/ctjump.2026i11TA.4876

OUTCOMES OF LAPAROSCOPIC COMMON BILE DUCT EXPLORATION COMBINED WITH INTRAOPERATIVE CHOLEDOCHOSCOPY FOR CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS: A PROSPECTIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Le Gia Kiet Nguyen1, , Van Tuan Nguyen1, Van Doi Mai1, Van Hien Nguyen1, Hoan Huan Lam1, Thanh Tuan Tran1, Diep Thien Phu Duong1, Thi Anh Trinh Vo1
1 Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration combined with intraoperative choledochoscopy is an effective single-stage treatment for choledocholithiasis. However, data on its early outcomes and the optimal biliary drainage strategy in specific regional settings remain limited. Objectives: To describe the clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis undergoing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with intraoperative choledochoscopy, and to evaluate the efficacy and early safety of this approach. Materials and methods: A prospective descriptive study was conducted on patients undergoing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with choledochoscopy at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Results: Thirty-five patients (mean age 55.3 years; 60.0% female) were included. The complete stone clearance rate was 94.3%. Mean operative and choledochoscopy times were 128.5 and 52.4 minutes, respectively. Early postoperative complications were rare, including minor biliary leakage (2.9%) and acute pancreatitis (2.9%). The overall mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.8 days. Notably, patients who underwent primary common bile duct closure had a significantly shorter hospital stay compared to those managed with T-tube drainage (4.8 ± 1.2 vs. 9.2 ± 2.4 days, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration combined with intraoperative choledochoscopy is a feasible, safe, and effective single-stage approach for choledocholithiasis. In selected patients, primary common bile duct closure significantly shortens postoperative hospitalization compared to T-tube drainage, optimizing early recovery. 

Keywords

Bile duct stones, choledocholithiasis, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, intraoperative choledochoscopy, primary closure, T-tube drainage

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