Laparoscopic hepatectomy with bile duct exploration for the treatment of hepatolithiasis: An experience of 116 cases

Abstract Background An increasing number of patients with hepatolithiasis were diagnosed at an early stage in China. Laparoscopic surgery has introduced new methods of treating this condition. Aim To investigate the patient selection, operative technique, and efficacy of laparoscopic hepatectomy with bile duct exploration for the treatment of hepatolithiasis. Patients and methods The clinical data of 116 patients who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy (laparoscopic group) and 78 patients who underwent open hepatectomy (open group) for hepatolithiasis were retrospectively analyzed, and were compared with the recent reports. Results The laparoscopic group had a longer duration of operation (323.3 ± 103.0 min vs. 272.8 ± 66.8 min, p p p  > 0.05 for all). Efficacy in the laparoscopic group was similar to that in other recently reported studies. Conclusions Laparoscopic hepatectomy with bile duct exploration is safe and feasible for early stage localized hepatolithiasis, with an efficacy similar to that of open surgery. Anatomic hepatectomy is important for achieving good therapeutic outcomes.