Combined endoscopic and laparoscopic treatment of gallstones and bile duct stones

Abstract

The best treatment of bile duct lithiasis in the era of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not yet been defined, as we can choose between different kinds of therapies which range from the traditional laparotomic treatment to the more modern endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques. Although in some centres a wholly laparoscopic access to the bile duct is used, we believe that the fastest, safest and most reliable method is still the sequential treatment, endoscopic and laparoscopic. In our experience the endoscopic cleaning of the choledochus was performed in 87.1% of the cases, with no mortality and 4.2% morbidity.