Clinical Application of Primary Suture Following Three-Port Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration: A Report of 176 Cases

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, safety and the clinical value of primary suture following 3-port laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). Methods: From January 2012 to September 2014, 176 patients suffered from choledocholithiasis were treated with primary suture following 3-port LCBDE and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Results: All cases were operated successfully and none was converted to open surgery. The duration of operation was 92.2 ± 18.8 min and the length of postoperative hospital stay was 4.4 ± 3.7 d. Postoperative bile leakage occurred in 2 cases and these patients recovered by simple drainage for 3 to 7 days without re-operation. All patients recovered smoothly without any serious complications. Conclusions: Primary suture following 3-port LCBDE is safe, effective and mini-invasive, which is worthy of further clinical application.