Research progress in the treatment of gallstones with laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery: a narrative review

Abstract

Cholelithiasis, the formation of stones in the gallbladder, is a common surgical condition with an increasing incidence. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard for the treatment of symptomatic gallstones due to its favorable outcomes. However, with increasing recognition of the gallbladder's importance, this procedure no longer aligns with patients' desire to preserve the organ. Technological advancements and surgical innovations have led to emerging approaches such as natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and cholangioscopy. This narrative review examines the current landscape of surgical interventions for gallstones, highlighting both gallbladder-preserving and removal approaches, and aims to provide insight into their respective outcomes and clinical implications.