Background: complex choledocholithiasis remains a significant clinical issue; despite technological development, a single management approach has not been created. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with contact laser lithotripsy is considered as one of the least traumatic techniques. Aim: to evaluate short-term outcomes of ERCP with contact laser lithotripsy in treatment of complex choledocholithiasis. Materials and Methods: a multicenter, non-randomized, retrospective cohort study was conducted in 204 patients (July 2018 — January 2025). Two groups consisted of patients receving ERCP with contact laser lithotripsy (n=110) and choledocholithotomy with Kehr T-tube drainage (n=94) using conventional surgical access (mini-access, laparotomy, laparoscopy) were formed. The authors assessed complications in the immediate postoperative period (≤5 days), number of re-interventions and readmissions, duration of the surgery, number of total bed days, and ICU bed days. Results: median duration of hospital stay was 8 [5; 10] days in the endoscopic group and 15 [10; 23] days in the surgical one (p