Two-Port Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration with T-tube Choledochostomy for Management of Choledocholithiasis: An Initial Clinical Report

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is generally performed using a four- or five-port technique. We report a unique technique of two-port transcholedochal LCBDE with T-tube placement. Twelve consecutive patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones underwent LCBDE through two entry ports, one homemade single port (Uen port) inserted in a 2-cm umbilical wound and one 5-mm subxiphoid trocar port. With the assistance of a 1.2-mm needle that was inserted through a right lower intercostal space into the abdominal cavity to facilitate the operation, two-port dome-down laparoscopic cholecystectomy, choledochotomy, choledochoscopic removal of ductal caculi, and T-tube choldochostomy were performed with conventional methods using standard laparoscopic instruments along with manually operated angled shafts. After completion of the operation, the T-tube catheter was brought out through the subxiphoid trocar wound. All operations were completed successfully without the need of additional ports. There was no complication and no residual stones. Mean operation time was 120 minutes (range, 90 to 150 minutes), and mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.5 days (range, 3 to 4 days). Scarless wound healing was achieved except one T-tube scar. Two-port transumbilical LCBDE with T-tube choledochostomy is a feasible, safe, and effective technique that allows one-scar abdominal surgery for treatment of CBD stones. Further studies and the development of better instruments are necessary before this can be recommended as a standard procedure.