Short-Term Expectant Management of Small Bile Duct Stones in Cholecystectomy

In cholecystectomy patients with small common bile duct stones (≤5 mm) identified by intraoperative ultrasound, a short-term expectant management approach, avoiding immediate duct clearance, proved safe. Among 51 patients, 46 underwent expectant management, with 89.1% not requiring postoperative interventions. Over 3 years, none presented with residual stones, and hospital length of stay was significantly reduced. This suggests potential benefits of a conservative approach, challenging the current guidelines advocating routine duct clearance for identified stones.