title: Long-term Outcome of Primary Closure After Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Combined With Choledochoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Primary closure after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is considered to be a safe alternative to T-tube drainage on the basis of the short-term outcome. However, little published data exist regarding the biliary complications at the long-term follow-up of primary closure versus T-tube drainage following LCBDE. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the long-term outcome of primary closure after LCBDE.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of 142 consecutive patients who underwent LCBDE combined with choledochoscopy for CBD stones. After LCBDE, the choledochotomy was closed by primary closure (group P) in 91 patients (64.1%) and with T-tube drainage (group T) in 51 patients (35.9%). The data on operative outcome and long-term biliary complications were compared between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean operation time was significantly shorter in group P than group T (168.9 ± 50.1 min for group P vs. 198.0 ± 59.6 min for group T, P = 0.002). The hospital stay was significantly shorter in group P than in group T (8.59 ± 6.0 d for group P vs. 14.96 ± 5.4 d for group T, P = 0.001). Postoperative bile leak occurred in 2 patients (2.2%) in group P and 1 patient (2.0%) in group T. With a mean follow-up of 48.8 months, the stone recurrence rate in group P and group T were 4.4% and 5.9%, respectively (P = 0.722). During the follow-up period, there was no sign of biliary stricture or other biliary complications in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The long-term follow-up data on primary closure after LCBDE indicated a low incidence of recurrent stones, and no biliary strictures. Thus, primary closure after LCBDE with choledochoscopy is considered to be a safe and effective alternative to T-tube drainage in terms of long-term outcome.
authors: Department of Surgery, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Hee Jung
authors: HJ
authors: Yi
authors: Geun
authors: G
authors: Hong
authors: Seog Ki
authors: SK
authors: Min
authors: Hyeon Kook
authors: HK
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D058107:Abdominal Wound Closure Techniques; D000368:Aged; D002768:Choledochostomy / Q000379:methods; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome