Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Common Bile Duct Exploration for Cholecystocholedocholithiasis Treatment: How We Do It (with video)

Background: Choledocholithiasis occurs in 8–20% of patients with gallbladder stones. All patients with symptomatic gallbladder stone disease should be assessed for synchronous choledocholithiasis. When synchronous to symptomatic gallbladder stones disease, indication for treating both is clear. The most common treatment options are single-stage approach (SSA) with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common bile duct (CBD) exploration or two-stage approach (TSA) combining pre- or post-operative ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SSA is gaining emphasis as surgeons’ experience with advanced laparoscopic procedures increases.