Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients

Abstract Background With the aging population, the incidence of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients is increasing. Since interventional endoscopy cannot address gallbladder stones, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is more suitable for elderly patients. However, there is still controvers...

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Main Authors: Xiaofan Hua, Gang Wang, Bin Li, Genhai Shen, Wei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Geriatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06210-2
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author Xiaofan Hua
Gang Wang
Bin Li
Genhai Shen
Wei Liu
author_facet Xiaofan Hua
Gang Wang
Bin Li
Genhai Shen
Wei Liu
author_sort Xiaofan Hua
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background With the aging population, the incidence of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients is increasing. Since interventional endoscopy cannot address gallbladder stones, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is more suitable for elderly patients. However, there is still controversy over whether primary suture of the common bile duct or T-tube drainage is more appropriate for elderly patients. This study aims to explore the clinical efficacy of these two methods in treating elderly patients (≥ 70 years) with choledocholithiasis, comparing their surgical safety, complication rates, postoperative recovery, and long-term outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 97 patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis (or combined with gallbladder stones), aged 70 years or older, and who underwent laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct (PC group, 45 cases) or T-tube drainage (TD group, 52 cases) in our hospital from January 1, 2022, to October 30, 2023. The preoperative characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative recovery of the PC and TD groups were compared. Results The PC group had shorter operative time, common bile duct suture time, bowel function recovery time, 6-day postoperative VAS, total hospital stay, and postoperative hospital stay compared to the TD group. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups, with both experiencing cases of pulmonary infection (PC: 3 cases, TD: 2 cases), cardiovascular events (PC: 2 cases, TD: 1 case), and bile leakage (PC: 3 cases, TD: 4 cases). Additionally, the TD group had 3 cases of T-tube site wound infection, 3 cases of acute cholangitis, and 2 cases of readmission within 30 days post-discharge. After a median follow-up of 16 months, no residual or recurrent stones or biliary duct strictures were observed in either group. Conclusion Laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct avoids some complications associated with T-tube drainage and offers advantages such as less trauma, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay. For elderly patients with clear indications, this surgical method is a safe and feasible option.
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spelling doaj-art-817428fa35944dcd99b648cb5b1c356f2025-08-20T03:46:21ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182025-07-012511910.1186/s12877-025-06210-2Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patientsXiaofan Hua0Gang Wang1Bin Li2Genhai Shen3Wei Liu4Department of Minimally Invasive Common Surgery, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University Suzhou Bay Clinical CollegeDepartment of Minimally Invasive Common Surgery, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University Suzhou Bay Clinical CollegeDepartment of Minimally Invasive Common Surgery, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University Suzhou Bay Clinical CollegeDepartment of Minimally Invasive Common Surgery, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University Suzhou Bay Clinical CollegeDepartment of Minimally Invasive Common Surgery, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital, Xuzhou Medical University Suzhou Bay Clinical CollegeAbstract Background With the aging population, the incidence of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients is increasing. Since interventional endoscopy cannot address gallbladder stones, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is more suitable for elderly patients. However, there is still controversy over whether primary suture of the common bile duct or T-tube drainage is more appropriate for elderly patients. This study aims to explore the clinical efficacy of these two methods in treating elderly patients (≥ 70 years) with choledocholithiasis, comparing their surgical safety, complication rates, postoperative recovery, and long-term outcomes. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 97 patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis (or combined with gallbladder stones), aged 70 years or older, and who underwent laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct (PC group, 45 cases) or T-tube drainage (TD group, 52 cases) in our hospital from January 1, 2022, to October 30, 2023. The preoperative characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative recovery of the PC and TD groups were compared. Results The PC group had shorter operative time, common bile duct suture time, bowel function recovery time, 6-day postoperative VAS, total hospital stay, and postoperative hospital stay compared to the TD group. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between the two groups, with both experiencing cases of pulmonary infection (PC: 3 cases, TD: 2 cases), cardiovascular events (PC: 2 cases, TD: 1 case), and bile leakage (PC: 3 cases, TD: 4 cases). Additionally, the TD group had 3 cases of T-tube site wound infection, 3 cases of acute cholangitis, and 2 cases of readmission within 30 days post-discharge. After a median follow-up of 16 months, no residual or recurrent stones or biliary duct strictures were observed in either group. Conclusion Laparoscopic primary suture of the common bile duct avoids some complications associated with T-tube drainage and offers advantages such as less trauma, faster recovery, and shorter hospital stay. For elderly patients with clear indications, this surgical method is a safe and feasible option.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06210-2CholedocholithiasisLaparoscopic common bile duct explorationPrimary closure of CBDBile leakageElderly patients
spellingShingle Xiaofan Hua
Gang Wang
Bin Li
Genhai Shen
Wei Liu
Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients
BMC Geriatrics
Choledocholithiasis
Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration
Primary closure of CBD
Bile leakage
Elderly patients
title Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients
title_full Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients
title_fullStr Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients
title_short Comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and T-tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients
title_sort comparison of the efficacy of laparoscopic primary closure of the common bile duct and t tube drainage in the treatment of choledocholithiasis in elderly patients
topic Choledocholithiasis
Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration
Primary closure of CBD
Bile leakage
Elderly patients
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-025-06210-2
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AT binli comparisonoftheefficacyoflaparoscopicprimaryclosureofthecommonbileductandttubedrainageinthetreatmentofcholedocholithiasisinelderlypatients
AT genhaishen comparisonoftheefficacyoflaparoscopicprimaryclosureofthecommonbileductandttubedrainageinthetreatmentofcholedocholithiasisinelderlypatients
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