Abstract:Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy differences between laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in treating patients with gallstones and calculus of the common bile duct.Methods A retrospective study was conducted involving 272 patients with gallstones accompanied by calculus of the common bile duct (common bile duct diameter ranging from 9 ~ 15 mm, with the largest stone diameter < 15 mm) who met specific criteria. The patients were systematically compared and analyzed based on surgical methods, divided into the LCBDE + LC group and the EST + LC group. Comparing the recurrence rates of calculus of the common bile duct.Results Postoperative follow-up data showed that the LCBDE + LC group exhibited a relatively lower trend in postoperative stone recurrence rate (12.0% vs. 15.6%), but statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion For patients with gallstones and calculus of the common bile duct with a common bile duct diameter of 9 ~ 15 mm, both LCBDE + LC and EST + LC are safe and effective treatment options. When making clinical decisions, it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive evaluation based on the individual characteristics of the patient and select the most suitable surgical plan.