Objective To study the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in patients with cholecystocholedocholithiasis.Methods From July 2006 to June 2010,127 patients with cholecystocholedocholithiasis were treated either by LC+LCBDE (n=78) or LC+endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST,n=49).The treatment success rate,complications,retained bile duct stones rate,recovery of gastrointestinal function and hospital-stay were retrospectively analyzed.Results The LCBDE+ LC group:The operative success rate was 94.87 ％.The incidence of postoperative complications was 5.41 ％.The EST+ LC group:Complete removal of bile duct stones was achieved in 46 of 48 patients (95.92％).The incidence of postoperative complications was 12.77％.There was a significant difference in the incidences of postoperative complications between the EST+ LC group and the LCBDE+ LC group (P＜0.05).The operative time and the cost for hospital stay between the two groups were significantly different (P＜0.05).After a follow-up of 3.2 years (mean,range 1-5 years),there was no significant difference in long-term complications such as bile duct recurrent stones,duodenal papilla stenosis and cholangitis between the two groups (P＜0.05).ConclusionsLCBDE was a safe,efficacious and feasible minimal invasiveness treatment for cholecystocholedocholithiasis.Primary closure of common bile duct in selected cases brought additional benefits to the minimal invasive technique.