Objective To comparatively analyze the effects of laparoscopic and open left hepatectomy on intrahepatic bile duct stones. Methods Ninety-one patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones were divided into observation group (48 cases) and control group (43 cases) according to different surgical methods. The patients in observation group underwent laparoscopic left hepatectomy and the patients in control group underwent traditional open left hepatectomy. The intraoperative conditions (operation time, intraoperative blood loss), postoperative conditions (postoperative exhaust time, postoperative time of leaving bed, postoperative hospitalization time), postoperative complications (pneumonia, incision infection, bile leakage, abdominal bleeding), residual stones and recurrence of stones of two groups were compared. Results The operation time of patients in observation group was significantly longer than control group (P<0.05); While the postoperative exhaust time, postoperative time of leaving bed and postoperative hospital stay of were significantly shorter (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in intraoperative blood loss, the incidence of postoperative complications, the residual stone rate, and the recurrence rate between two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Treating intrahepatic bile duct stones with laparoscopic left hepatectomy has the advantages of less trauma and rapid postoperative recovery, and is worthy of popularization and application in hospitals with conditions.