ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the therapeutic results of laparoscopic and open treatment for choledocholithiasis. Methods A prospective comparison was conducted between 29 cases of laparoscopic choledocholithotomy and 35 cases of open choledocholithotomy in terms of stone removal,operative time,hospitalization day,hospitalization cost and postoperative complications. Results Stone removal was achieved in 28/29 patients by a laparoscopic approach and in 32/35 patients by a open approach( ? 2=0 71, P =0 399);average operative time was (178 3?32 4) min in laparoscopic approach and (145 8?27 1)min in open approach( t =4 27, P =0 01);the patients in laparoscopic procedures had flatus in (20 8?2 9) hour and those in open procedures did in (58 2?4 9) hours( t =37 8, P 0 05);no major complication was found in laparoscopic approach. Conclusions Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy is safe and effective and it is superier to open treatment.