Sphincter of Oddi-preserving and T-tube-free laparoscopic management of extrahepatic bile duct calculi.

BACKGROUND: The current management of choledocholithiasis remains a controversial topic. Popular options for treatment include preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), or LC and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) with T-tube decompression. Some concerns suggest that sphincterotomy has significant long-term complications as a result of sphincter of Oddi (SO) dysfunction, and T-tube decompression is historically associated with many complications and discomfort. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate our simple, safe techniques of LCBDE without a T-tube and with an intact SO. METHODS: Between April 2006 and July 2009, a total of 44 selected patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones underwent laparoscopic exploration at our institution. Of 44 laparoscopic choledochotomies, primary choledochorrhaphy was performed on patients with preoperatively installed endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) tubes (n = 10, 22.73%) or endonasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tubes (n = 10, 22.73%) and on patients with intraoperative biliary drainage C-tubes (n = 9, 20.45%) or pigtail J biliary drainage tubes (n = 15, 34.09%). RESULTS: The mean operating time for the ENBD, ERBD, J-tube, and C-tube groups were 97.8, 96.2, 102.1, and 98.7 min, respectively. There were no conversions to open surgery, and no intraoperative complications were experienced in any group. CBD clearance was achieved in 43 patients (97.73%). The mean lengths of follow-up for the ENBD, ERBD, J-tube, and C-tube groups were 27.0, 26.7, 23.8, and 30.4 months, respectively; and none of the patients developed major biliary complications including recurrent stones. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic primary closure with internal and external biliary drainage tubes is safe and an effective alternative to T-tube placement, especially for younger patient groups able to endure bile duct exploration. Sphincter of Oddi function is well preserved to prevent recurrent bile duct stones and bile duct cancer. Procedures are safe with great feasibility.

The fading role of T-tube in laparoscopic choledochotomy: primary choledochorrhaphy and over pigtail j and endonasobiliary drainage tubes.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The traditional management of open/laparoscopic choledochotomy after common bile duct (CBD) exploration is accomplished by placement of a T-tube, a procedure historically associated with complications and discomfort. In this study, we share in humble our laparoscopic experience of the use of primary closure of CBD, primary closure over pigtail J, and endonasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tubes as easy and effective alternatives to T-tubes. METHODS: From April 2006 to March 2009, 27 (16 women) patients with CBD stones underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy at our institute and were engaged in this study by means of T-tube-free approach after bile duct exploration: primary closure, pigtail J tube, and ENBD tube groups. On admission, routine laboratory and imaging workups were performed to confirm choledocholithiasis diagnosis. RESULTS: The mean operative time for primary closure, pigtail J tube, and ENBD tube groups were 95, 100, and 97.5 minutes, respectively. There was no conversion to open surgery nor was intraoperative complication experienced in all the groups. No major biliary complications such as bile leakage or bile peritonitis were seen; however, 1 patient from the pigtail J group experienced premature tube dislodgement and 1 patient from the ENBD tube group was found with a singular CBD retained stone. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic primary closure of the CBD and over pigtail J and ENBD tubes are easy and effective alternatives to T-tube placements; these procedures are safe and with great feasibility, they offer faster recovery time for patients and early discharge with lower hospital charge.