New Quality Standard for Laparoscopic Stone Removal Improves Surgical Outcomes

A new composite criterion, coined the textbook outcome (TO), evaluates laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for choledocholithiasis. Analyzing 225 patients, 74.2% achieved TO, defined by key perioperative benchmarks such as no residual stones and no severe complications. High ASA scores emerged as a critical risk factor for TO failure. This innovative approach promises to standardize surgical quality assessments and enhance patient care, potentially reducing healthcare costs while aligning with patient preferences.