Spontaneously removed endobiliary J stent drainage after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration

Abstract

Given the limitations and risks associated with current treatments for common bile duct (CBD) stones, the authors placed a spontaneously removed endobiliary J stent in the distal CBD to decompress the biliary tract and performed a primary closure of the CBD after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). In this study, 10 of 14 patients with a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis were successfully treated using LCBDE. After extraction of the CBD stones using a choledoscope, a J-shaped stent was placed into the distal CBD as an internal drainage. The J stent was fixed with a rapid absorbable suture at the choledochotomy, which was closed by primary suture. The procedures for all 10 patients were successfully completed. No complications related to placement of the endobiliary J stents were observed postoperatively. None of the patients reported discomfort, and the J stents passed spontaneously 2 to 3 weeks after discharge. Spontaneously removed endobiliary J-stent drainage is a safe and effective surgical technique that allows for straightforward postoperative management after LCBDE.