In this 743-patient single-center series, laparoscopic bile duct exploration achieved 95.6% stone clearance with a 0.4% bile-leak rate—reassuring results for surgeons considering T-tube-free closure.

• Overall morbidity was 5.2%; there were no deaths. Primary closure was achieved in 78.7% of cases.
• Choledochotomy was associated with lower odds of morbidity, residual stones and reoperation, but the retrospective design cannot establish that the approach caused better outcomes.

These data support the feasibility of primary closure in selected patients, not a universal default; results may depend on case selection and local expertise.