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Introduction: The results of international studies of laparoscopic treatment of bile duct stones are promising. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preliminary results of laparoscopic treatment of patients suspected of having common bile duct stones in a surgical department after the method was introduced in the department. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients were included in the study between January 2002 and January 2003. Patients were included when common bile duct stones were suspected as a result of transabdominal ultrasound examination, magnetic resonance cholangiography, and/or increased liver function tests. Furthermore, skilled surgeons had to be present. Results: Eight patients were treated successfully transcystically and four by choledochotomy, whereas nine patients had no stones when cholangiography was performed. In one patient an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with papillotomy and stone removal was performed due to anatomic variation of the cystic duct, and another patient had residual common bile duct stones removed. Four complications were observed. Discussion: Our small study shows that transcystic choledocholithotomy may be performed easily and with a high clearance rate, whereas choledochotomy is more demanding, although succesful in all cases. In nine patients no stones were found on cholangiography. Furthermore, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography could be avoided in 20 of the 22 patients. We find that the laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones is a reasonable alternative to other treatment modalities, with few complications and a high clearance rate.

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