Laparoscopic Techniques for Safe and Successful Removal of Common Bile Duct Stones in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Choledocholithiasis is uncommon in the pediatric population. Techniques for common bile duct stone extraction are still not well established. This article aims to describe safe and applicable techniques for pediatric common bile duct exploration. This was a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of two pediatric surgeons for patients undergoing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration at two tertiary-care centers from April 2008 to March 2012. For 39 patients under 15 years of age undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 10 cholangiograms were performed, and 8 were found to have filling defects. Seven patients underwent successful laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with documentation of stone clearance, and 1 patient was sent for postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stone extraction. Eleven patients had cholecystectomy performed by single-incision laparoscopic surgery, but none of these had cholangiograms or common bile duct explorations. Various methods of stone clearance were used, including the use of saline flush, balloon catheters, nitinol stone extractors, and the aide of glucagon. Depending on patient size, a choledochosope or a ureteroscope was used. There were no complications and no conversions to open surgery. Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is feasible in the pediatric population, using many of the instruments readily available in the standard operating room. With an armamentarium of tools and techniques, the method of stone extraction can be tailored to the patient and situation.