Application of double-needle bi-direction barbed sutures in laparoscopic common bile duct suture: a propensity score matching analysis

Laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct (CBD) has emerged as a predominant method in hepatobiliary surgery owing to its minimally invasive nature and favorable outcomes compared to traditional open surgery. Suturing the CBD during laparoscopic procedures is critical for ensuring proper bile drainage and reducing postoperative complications. This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent laparoscopic exploration of the CBD for choledocholithiasis at the Wujin Hospital Affiliated with Jiangsu University between January 2016 and December 2023. Patients were stratified into two groups: individuals who underwent double-needle bi-direction sutures (Bi-direction group, BG) and those who underwent traditional barbed sutures (Normal group, NG). Demographic characteristics, intraoperative parameters, postoperative results, and hospitalization particulars were collected and analyzed. Following propensity score matching, each group comprised 33 patients. The BG exhibited a significantly shorter postoperative extubation time and hospital stay compared to the NG. No significant disparities were noted in intraoperative parameters or postoperative laboratory results between the two groups. Employing double-needle bi-direction barbed sutures for common bile duct (CBD) closure in laparoscopic procedures seems viable and correlates with reduced postoperative recovery durations. The use of double-needle double-barbed sutures for CBD closure in laparoscopic procedures appears to be feasible and associated with shorter postoperative recovery times. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential benefits in larger patient cohorts and different clinical settings.