Objective To evaluate the safety, feasibility and curative effect of mini-incision ex-ploration of common bile duct. Methods In this study, 290 patients underwent min-incision explora-tion of common bile duct and 120 patients underwent open-incision exploration of common bile duct for bile duct stones and/or gallstones from 2005 to 2007. The iatrogenic bile duct injury, postoperative complication, residual stone, stone recurrence,therapeutic effect and clinical data were evaluated by randomized contrast analysis. Results Time of operation, bleeding, volume of drain pipe, time of re-covery of intestinal peristalsis and average duration in hospital were significantly lower in the group of min-incision exploration(MCE) than in the group of open-incision exploration(OCE). The iatrogentic bile duct injury occurred in 5 cases(1.72%), residual stone in 10 cases(3.45%), stone recurrence in 15 cases(5.18%) in the group of MCE, and in 2 cases(1.67%), 4 cases(3. 33%) and 6 cases respec-tively in the group of OCE. There was no marked difference between the two groups. Howevert post-operative complications occurred in 17 cases(6.8%) and 16(13.3%) in the group of MCE and OCE,respectively. There was remarkable difference between the 2 groups(P<0. 05). Conclusion Mini-in-cision exploration of common bile duct is a feasible and safe method resulting in fewer complications of iatrogentic bile duct injury, stone recurrence and residual stone.