ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the clinical application of continuous two-layer suture of gallbladder incision with a single absorbable suture on laparoscopic minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy. Methods The clinical data of 74 cases underwent laparoscopic minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy were retrospectively analyzed. Main surgical procedures included the longitudinal incision of gallbladder wall, choledochoscopy and the removal of all stones and the closure of the gallbladder incision. The mucous incision was first closed using a 4-0 absorbable suture with continuous everting suture. Using the same suture, the seromuscular incision was then closed with continuous invering suture. The operation time, suturing time, complications and postoperative hospitalization time were also documented. Results Laparoscopic gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy was successfully performed in all cases using the suturing technique introduced in Methods. The operation time was 33~78 min (average 45.11 ± 14.96 min). Suturing time for gallbladder incision was 9 ~ 22 min (average 14.86 ± 3.88 min). No severe complications occurred, such as bile leakage, peritonitis, residual gallstone, hemorrhage or infection. The postoperative hospitalization time was 2~4 d (average 3.21 ± 0.69 d). A postoperative follow-up of 3 ~ 62 months (average 35.50 ± 18.94 months) indicated gallbladder stone recurrence of 2 cases, with a recurrence rate of 2.7%. Continuous two-layer suture of gallbladder incision with a single absorbable suture is a safe, practical and reliable technique for the closure of the gallbladder incision in laparoscopic gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy.