ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic choledocholithotomy with either an indwelling T-tube or primary suture in treating cholecystolithiasis complicated by choledocholithiasis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 133 patients with cholecystolithiasis complicated by choledocholithiasis treated at Inner Mongolia Aerospace Medical Baogang Hospital from March 2020 to March 2023. Patients were divided into a control group (laparoscopic choledocholithotomy with T-tube placement) and an observation group (laparoscopic choledocholithotomy with primary suture). We compared general and surgery-related data between groups. Factors correlated with favorable postoperative outcomes were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The observation group exhibited significantly shorter surgical times, faster intestinal function recovery, reduced postoperative hospital stays, and lower total hospitalization costs compared to the control group (all P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in postoperative total bilirubin (TBIL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels between the groups (all P > 0.05). Both primary suture technique and the absence of postoperative complications were independent predictors of favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy with primary suture is associated with shorter operation times, reduced medical costs, decreased hospitalization duration, and quicker gastrointestinal recovery compared to the traditional T-tube approach. This method is safe and feasible, provided clinicians are well-versed in its indications.