ObjectiveTo explore the causes of bile duct injury due to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and the preventive methods. MethodsA total of 18 patients with bile duct injury (with the occurrence rate of 0.4%) after LC between January 2003 and December 2012 were included. The patients included 5 males and 13 females with the age of 29-63 years old[averaging (42.3±3.6) years old]. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsIn the 18 cases of bile duct injury, 5 cases occur in emergency operation, 13 cases in selective operation. The operators were attending physician in 13 cases, and senior position in the other 5 cases. The reasons of the injury included misjudgment of the cystic duct in 9, duct aberrance in 3, excessive stretch of cystic duct in 2, 2 Mirizzi syndrome withⅠ-type surgical injury in 2, and right liver duct injury because of inappropriate stripping of gallbladder in 1. ConclusionThe operator's experience, severe conglutination and the bile duct aberrance are the chief causes. Preventive methods include strict system of operation accession, careful selection of candidates, timely laparotomy, and paying attention to the accumulation of operation experience and skills.