Common bile duct exploration for elderly patients with choledocholithiasis: Is laparoscopic method better?

Background: Choledocholithiasis is the most common cause of acute cholangitis which resulted in potentially life-threatening infection. The prevalence of common bile duct (CBD) stone increases with age.[1] Common bile duct exploration (CBDE) is one of the treatments. However, there are a few studies about this procedure in the elderly patients. Hence, we discover the outcomes of CBDE in elderly patients ≥70 years). The methods of CBDE, including open and laparoscopic (LC) method were also compared. Material and Method: From January 2009 to December 2014, the elderly patients with proven choledocholithiasis who underwent CBDE were included. The deremographical information, surgical outcome and postoperative complication were all recorded and evaluated. Result: There were 97 patients in open method group (Group A) and 21 patients in LC method group (Group B). The mean age was 76.9 years (70–93 years). The demographics and comorbidity in both groups were similar. The mean length of stay after operation for Group A was 11.2 ± 9.0 days and Group B was 5.67 ± 2.29 days (P < 0.0001). The complication rate was similar in both groups (Group A, 22.6%; Group B, 4.76%; P = 0.07). The overall complication and mortality rate was 19.5% and 0.8%, respectively. The clearance of CBD stone was 95.9% in Group A and 95.2% in Group B (P = 1.00). Conclusion: CBDE can be performed safely in the elderly with accepted morbidity and mortality, and the stone clearance is also reliable. The LCBDE approach is safe in these elderly and has benefit for shortening the hospital stay.