To analyze the incidence of choledocholithiasis in patients who underwent cholecystectomy in our hospital, and to determine the incidences of recurrent stones and choledocholithiasis combined with cholangitis after treatment for choledocholithiasis.

A retrospective study was conducted on 1 152 patients with common bile duct stones treated from January 2013 to July 2017 in our hospital.

Of the 1152 patients with common bile duct stones, 572 patients had a history of cholecystectomy, accounting for 49.65% of all patients. 402 patients had choledocholoithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis (34.9% of all patients), 278 patients had choledocholithiasis without cholecystolithiasis (24.1%). Choledocholithiasis could occur after cholecystectomy. The time of onset of choledocholithiasis was 5~10 years after operation in 49.1% of patients, and 200 of these patients with choledocholithiasis were treated with lithotripsy. There were 110 patients who underwent choledocholithotomy and cholecystectomy, and 90 patients who underwent ERCP and stone removal. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Choledocholithiasis complicated with cholangitis developed in 511 patients (44.3% of all patients). These included 437 patients with acute mild cholangitis (85.5%) and acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (14.5%). Recurrent choledocholithiasis combined with acute cholangitis after choledocholithotomy developed in 51 patients, and recurrent choledocholithiasis combined with cholangitis developed after ERCP in 50 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).

Choledocholithiasis after cholecystectomy accounted for a high proportion of patients. Recurrent choledocholithiasis could occur after choledocholithotomy. Common bile duct stones were susceptible to develop cholangitis. Thus, common bile duct stones should be treated as soon as possible.

Common bile duct stones; Cholecystectomy; Cholangitis; Cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde