title: Choledochoscopic Holmium Laser Lithotripsy for Difficult Bile Duct Stones.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of choledochoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy as a means of removing resistant extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile duct stones.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical data on 28 patients who had undergone choledochoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete stone clearance was obtained in 24 patients; small numbers of residual stones in the left or right hepatic duct were found in 4 patients. No severe complications such as hemobilia and bile duct injuries occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Choledochoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy is a simple, safe, and effective treatment method for patients with resistant bile duct stones.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University , Taizhou, China .
authors.forename: Shangdong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University , Taizhou, China .
authors.forename: Zheping
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University , Taizhou, China .
authors.forename: Aidong
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University , Taizhou, China .
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Taizhou Hospital affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University , Taizhou, China .
authors.forename: Wenlong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D003135:Common Bile Duct; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006500:Hepatic Duct, Common; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: bile duct stones; choledochoscopy; holmium laser; lithotripsy