Laparoscopic treatment of intrahepatic duct stone.

Between October 1998 and November 1999, 12 patients with IHD stones, without severe ductal stricture, adhesion due to previous exploration, intrahepatic abscess or suspicious malignancy, were in the subjects of this study. A 4-port-technique was performed, with a 4-way flexible choledochoscope, via a choledochotomy, for removal of the stones. The postoperative follow-up for recurrent stones was performed with a cholangiogram and an ultrasonogram, and the quality of life was evaluated by a questionnaire for the symptoms. The mean operating time was 288.3 (150-420) minutes. There was only one postoperative complication, but no intraoperative transfusions or perioperative mortality. Remnant stones were detected in 1 patient on the final T-tube cholangiogram, which was removed by percutaneous choledochoscopy, through the tract matured by the T-tube. There were no cholangitis or recurrent stones during the mean follow-up period of 31.4 (10-45) months. With increasing demand for minimal invasiveness, the laparoscopic treatment of IHD stones could be an effective option.