Objective  To observe the changes of intestinal barrier function in patients with biliary calculi complicated with diabetes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

  Methods  A total of 126 patients with LC were divided into diabetes group (41 cases) and non-diabetes group (85 cases). The ratio of lactulose to mannitol (L/M) in urine was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the levels of urinary intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) and serum D-lactate were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) before operation and on the 1^st and 3^rd day after operation.

  Results  The patients of two groups successfully completed the operations, no patients transferred to open surgeries. The anal exhaust time in the diabetic group was significantly longer than that in the non-diabetes group (P < 0.05). Urine L/M, serum D-lactic acid and urinary IFABP on the 1^st and 3^rd postoperative day in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those before treatment and non-diabetic group (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  Intestinal barrier dysfunction will aggravate in patients with biliary calculi complicated with diabetes undergoing LC surgery. Preoperative control of blood glucose levels may reduce the severity of intestinal damage.