Thirty patients of primary cholangiolithiasis were treated by the use of a rigid choledochoscope passing through the left lateral liver lobe for removal. 20 cases of them were manipulated with mini-incisions, the stones in 14 patients (70.0%) were completely removed. In the remaining 10 cases of conventional laparotomy, left lateral liver incised in 4, left lateral lobectomy in 6 before rigid choledochoscopic lithotomy; the stons were completely removed in eight patients (80.0%). No case had complications, the short-term effect of the method is obviously better than that of other various operative treatments. It has the advantages of less trauma, less pain, and quick recovery. It is a economical and effective new technique and has prospects of application.
