Right posteroinferior bile duct angulation correlates with bile duct stone occurrence in patients with hepatolithiasis

Purpose This study aimed to examine the correlation between right posteroinferior bile duct (RPBD) angulation and the occurrence of bile duct stones in patients with hepatolithiasis. Methods Patients presenting with hepatolithiasis in our hospital from January 2011 to July 2016 were divided into two groups according to whether their RPBD was affected by stones. A statistical analysis for the relevant factors associated with bile duct stone formation in the RPBD was performed. Results The binary logistic regression results showed that stenosis of the right hepatic duct [odds ratio (OR): 7.313; 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.131–12.945)] and the angle of the RPBD (OR 0.896; 95%CI 0.877–0.916) were risk factors associated with the formation of RPBD stones. Further, the receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that, when the angle of the RPBD was less than 44.58°, stones were able to form more easily in the RPBD. Conclusion The occurrence of bile duct stones is well correlated with sharp bile duct angulation.