title: Laparoscopic CBD exploration using a V-shaped choledochotomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is a treatment modality for choledocholithiasis. The advantages of this technique are that it is less invasive than conventional open surgery and it permits single-stage management; however, other technical difficulties limit its use. The aim of this article is to introduce our novel technique for LCBDE, which may overcome some of the limitations of conventional LCBDE. Since December 2013, ten patients have undergone LCBDE using a V-shaped choledochotomy (V-CBD). After the confluence of the cystic duct and the CBD were exposed, a V-shaped incision was made along the medial wall of the cystic duct and the lateral wall of the common hepatic duct, which comprise two sides of Calot's triangle. The choledochoscope was inserted into the lumen of the CBD through a V-shaped incision, and all CBD stones were retrieved using a basket or a Fogarty balloon catheter or were irrigated with saline. After CBD clearance was confirmed using the choledochoscope, the choledochotomy was closed with the bard absorbable suture material known as V-loc.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diameter of the CBD ranged from 8 to 30 mm, and the mean size of the stones was 11.6 ± 8.4 mm. The mean operative time was 97.8 ± 30.3 min, and the mean length of the postoperative hospital stay was 6.0 ± 4.6 days. All patients recovered without any postoperative complications, except for one patient who developed postoperative pancreatitis. No conversions to laparotomy were observed, and there were no recurrent stones and no need of T-tube insertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report suggests that our novel technique, known as V-CBD, may represent a feasible and straightforward procedure for treating choledocholithiasis, especially when the CBD is not dilated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Suh
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. gshth@catholic.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Tae Ho
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome