title: [Results of laparoscopic treatement of common bile duct lithiasis. Report of 30 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this retrospective study was to report the results of the laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones in an unicentric series of 30 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2001 to April 2004. 30 patients: 23 women, 7 men (mean age: 54 years). underwent a common bile duct exploration for lithiasis through a laparoscopic approach. The patients were hospitalized for angiocholitis (n = 12), cholecystitis (n= 4), jaundice (n = 4), pancreatitis (n = 3), abnormality of hepatic tests (n = 7). All the patients underwent an intra operative cholangiography. Removal of the stones was tried in 30 cases through a choledochotomy. never through the cystic duct, using Dormia and Fogarty catheters. External biliary drainage with T tube (kehr) and postoperative cholangiography was done systematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 21 patients (70 %), removal of the stones was laparoscopically successful. The average diameter of the common bile duct was 10.5 mm (range 6-20 mm). The median number of stones was 5 (E: 1-12). The median operation time was 180mn (range 150-300mn). In 9 patients, a conversion into laparotomy was necessary for several reasons. In 2 patients with residual common bile duct, the stones were treated successfully by endoscopic sphincterotomy. There was no mortality and the morbidity rate was 10 %. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 14.7 days (range 7-18days) and 13.3 days in case of successful laparoscopic management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In 70 % of the patients, the treatment of the common bile-duct lithiasis could be achieved laparoscopically, but conventional approach and endoscopic sphincterotomy are still useful in case of failure of the laparoscopic management.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Générale, Hôpital Mongi Slim La Marsa.
authors.forename: Mohamed N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Arfa
authors.forename: Sadri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben Abid
authors.forename: Lasaad
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gharbi
authors.forename: Saber
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mannai
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Haoues
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miloudi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guilani
authors.forename: Brahim
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ghariani
authors.forename: Hafedh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mestiri
authors.forename: M Tahar
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Khalfallah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies