Who Will Be Able to Perform Open Biliary Surgery in 2025?

A comparison of outcomes including bile duct injury of subtotal cholecystectomy versus open total cholecystectomy as bailout procedures for severe cholecystitis: A multicenter real-world study

BACKGROUND

Dense inflammation obscuring the hepatocystic anatomy can hinder the ability to perform a safe standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy in severe cholecystitis, requiring use of a bailout procedure. We compared clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open subtotal cholecystectomy against the traditional standard of open total cholecystectomy to identify the optimal bailout strategy for the difficult gallbladder.

METHODS

A multicenter, multinational retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent bailout procedures for severe cholecystitis. Procedures were compared using one-way analysis of variance/Kruskal-Wallis tests and χ2 tests with multiple pairwise comparisons, maintaining a family-wise error rate at 0.05. Multiple multivariate linear/logistical regression models were created.

RESULTS

In 11 centers, 727 bailout procedures were conducted: 317 laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomies, 172 open subtotal cholecystectomies, and 238 open cholecystectomies. Baseline characteristics were similar among subgroups. Bile leak was common in laparoscopic and open fenestrating subtotal cholecystectomies, with increased intraoperative drain placements and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(P < .05). In contrast, intraoperative bleeding (odds ratio = 3.71 [1.9, 7.22]), surgical site infection (odds ratio = 2.41 [1.09, 5.3]), intensive care unit admission (odds ratio = 2.65 [1.51, 4.63]), and length of stay (Δ = 2 days, P < .001) were higher in open procedures. Reoperation rates were higher for open reconstituting subtotal cholecystectomies (odds ratio = 3.43 [1.03, 11.44]) than other subtypes. The overall rate of bile duct injury was 1.1% and was not statistically different between groups. Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy had a bile duct injury rate of 0.63%.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is a feasible surgical bailout procedure in cases of severe cholecystitis where standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy may carry undue risk of bile duct injury. Open cholecystectomy remains a reasonable option.

Gap analysis between trainees' subjective competencies and the competencies expected by instructors in urology: A need assessment survey in Japan

OBJECTIVE

According to the rapid progress in surgical techniques, a growing number of procedures should be learned during postgraduate training periods. This study aimed to clarify the current situation regarding urological surgical training and identify the perception gap between trainees' competency and the competency expected by instructors in Japan.

METHODS

Regarding the 40 urological surgical procedures selected via the Delphi method, we collected data on previous caseloads, current subjective autonomy, and confidence for future skill acquisition from trainees (<15 post-graduate years [PGY]), and the competencies when trainees became attending doctors expected by instructors (>15 PGY), according to a 5-point Likert scale. In total, 174 urologists in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan were enrolled in this study.

RESULTS

The response rate was 96% (165/174). In a large proportion of the procedures, caseloads grew with accumulation of years of clinical practice. However, trainees had limited caseloads of robotic and reconstructive surgeries even after 15 PGY. Trainees showed low subjective competencies at present and low confidence for future skill acquisition in several procedures, such as open cystectomy, ureteroureterostomy, and ureterocystostomy, while instructors expected trainees to be able to perform these procedures independently when they became attending doctors.

CONCLUSION

Trainees showed low subjective competencies and low confidence for future skill acquisition in several open and reconstructive procedures, while instructors considered that these procedures should be independently performable by attending doctors. We believe that knowledge of these perception gaps is helpful to develop a practical training program.

Surgical training of gynecologic oncology fellows: Long-term trends and implications for future education

OBJECTIVES

The surgical training of gynecologic oncology (GO) fellows is critical to providing excellent care to women with gynecologic cancers. We sought to evaluate changes in techniques and surgical volumes over an 18-year period among established GO fellowships across the US.

METHODS

We emailed surveys to 30 GO programs that had trained fellows for at least 18 years. Surveys requested the number of surgical cases performed by a fellow for seventeen surgical procedures over each of five-time intervals. A One-Way Analysis of Variance was conducted for each procedure, averaged across institutions, to examine whether each procedure significantly changed over the 18-year span.

RESULTS

14 GO programs responded and were included in the analysis using SPSS. We observed a significant increase in the use of minimally invasive (MIS) procedures (robotic hysterectomy (p < .001), MIS pelvic (p = .001) and MIS paraaortic lymphadenectomy (p = .008). There was a concurrent significant decrease in corresponding "open" procedures. There was a significant decrease in all paraaortic lymphadenectomies. Complex procedures (such as bowel resection) remained stable. However, there was a wide variation in the number of cases reported with extremely small numbers for some critical procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The experience of GO fellows has shifted toward increased use of MIS. While these trends in care are appropriate, they do not diminish the need in many patients for complex open procedures. These findings should help spur the development of innovative training to maintain the ability to provide these core, specialty-defining procedures safely.

Comparing Outcomes of Sub-Total Cholecystectomy Versus Open Cholecystectomy as Bailout Procedures for the Difficult Gallbladder

BACKGROUND

Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common operations performed, there is no consensus on the best surgical approach when inflammation obscures hepatocystic anatomy in severe cholecystitis. Traditionally, this situation triggered conversion to open cholecystectomy (COC); however, in recent decades, alternative approaches have been described. We compared outcomes of bailout procedures for severe cholecystitis, primarily focusing on COC versus laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSTC).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review comparing outcomes of intended laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases that were converted to bailout procedures between 2015-2020 at a single institution. Bailout procedures were categorized into LSTC and COC groups. Demographics, clinical presentation, time to surgery, operative indications, operative duration, and post-operative outcomes were compared using independent sample t-tests with Welch-Satterthwaite correction or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests (continuous variables) or Fisher's exact/χ2 tests. A P-value of less than .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

Final analysis included 158 subjects: 55 LSTC and 99 COC. Patient demographics and clinical presentations were similar between groups. LSTC had shorter operative time, fewer ICU admissions, and shorter length of stay than COC (P < .05). There were 9 (9.2%) cases of ileus, 4 (4.0%) cases of post-operative bleeding, and 2 (2.0%) cases of bile duct injury in COC. There was 1 (1.8%) case of ileus, 1 (1.8%) case of post-operative bleeding, and no bile duct injury in LSTC.

CONCLUSION

LSTC was associated with fewer complications than COC, which had higher rates of biliary injury, bleeding, ileus, ICU admission, and longer hospital stay.

Bile Leakage From the Luschka Duct After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Cholecystectomy: A Case Report

Bile leakage may develop as a result of traumatic or iatrogenic injuries of bile ducts during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The frequency of Luschka duct injuries during LC is extremely rare. In this case, we present a case of bile leakage due to Luschka duct injury during sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and LC. The leakage was not noticed during the surgery, and on postoperative day 2, bilious drainage was seen from the drain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was helpful to determine Luschka duct injury. Biliary leakage resolved after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stent placement.

Open Cholecystectomy for the New Learner-Obstacles and Challenges

Background:

Laparoscopy has become the standard of care in most general surgery procedures. This has led to a decrease in the number of open surgical procedures for surgical training, particularly as senior surgeons retire. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of retiring senior surgeons on our residents’ operative experience.

Methods:

Cholecystectomies performed between Jan 2010 and Dec 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgeons training residents were divided into two groups based on their training experience. Group 1 were trained in the prelaparoscopic era, and group 2 were trained during the age of laparoscopy. We then evaluated the impact of retirement on the number of open cholecystectomies performed.

Results:

There were 4555 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at our institution over a 7-year period. Overall conversion rate was 1.5% (66/4555). Conversion rates were higher in group 1 as compared to group 2. The analysis of the number of open cases performed by each graduating resident showed reduction in the number of open cholecystectomies performed over time.

Conclusion:

The decline in the number of open cholecystectomies creates a challenge for the training of general surgery residents. To compensate, we have employed simulation curriculum with the use of cadaveric surgical anatomy courses. Additionally, with transplant curriculum, open cholecystectomy experience has increased with liver transplant exposure. Continued laparoscopic experience has also shown that advanced laparoscopic techniques such as top down dissection laparoscopically have decreased the need for conversion to open and are skills that graduating residents possess.

A meta-analysis of the use of intraoperative cholangiography; time to revisit our approach to cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND

Despite some evidence of improved survival with intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy, debate has raged about its benefit, in part because of its questionable benefit, time, and resources required to complete.

METHODS

An International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews-registered (ID CRD42018102154) meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane library from 2003 to 2018 was undertaken including search strategy "intraoperative AND cholangiogra* AND cholecystectomy." Articles scoring ≥ 16 for comparative and ≥ 10 for noncomparative using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria were included. A dichotomous random effects meta-analysis using the Mantel-Haenszel method performed on Review Manager Version 5.3 was carried out.

RESULTS

Of 2,059 articles reviewed, 62 met criteria for final analysis. The mean rate of intraoperative cholangiography was 38.8% (range 1.6%-96.4%).There was greater detection of bile duct stones during cholecystectomy with routine intraoperative cholangiography compared with selective intraoperative cholangiography (odds ratio = 3.28, confidence interval = 2.80-3.86, P value < .001). While bile duct injury during cholecystectomy was less with intraoperative cholangiography (0.39%) than without intraoperative cholangiography (0.43%), it was not statistically significant (odds ratio = 0.88, confidence interval = 0.65-1.19, P value = .41). Readmission following cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiography was 3.0% compared to 3.5% without intraoperative cholangiography (odds ratio = 0.91, confidence interval = 0.78-1.06, P value = .23).

CONCLUSION

The use of intraoperative cholangiography still has its place in cholecystectomy based on the detection of choledocholithiasis and the potential reduction of unfavorable outcomes associated with common bile duct stones. This meta-analysis, the first to review intraoperative cholangiography use, identified a marked variation in cholangiography use. Retrospective studies limit the ability to critically define association between intraoperative cholangiography use and bile duct injury.

Surgical Trainee Experience with Open Cholecystectomy and the Dunning-Kruger Effect

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard approach to gallbladder surgery, but open cholecystectomy retains a role in complex cases.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate exposure of senior trainees in general surgery to open cholecystectomy and their experience and confidence in independent performance.

METHODS

General surgical trainees on a higher surgical training programme from surgical training years 5 (ST 5) to 8 (ST8) were invited to partake in an online anonymous survey. Data pertaining to case numbers, whether supervised or independently performed and level of comfort were collated and analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-six of 40 trainees responded (65%). Twenty-one (81%) had performed over 40 laparoscopic cholecystectomies with their trainer either scrubbed or un-scrubbed in theatre. As to open cholecystectomy experience, 12 trainees had assisted in 5 or fewer cases and only 3 assisted in over 20; 17 (65%) had performed 2 or fewer cases whilst assisted by their trainer while 24 of 26 trainees (92%) had no independent experience of open cholecystectomy. However, 16 felt they would be "somewhat comfortable" and 2 reported feeling "very comfortable" while only 8 reported they were "not comfortable" converting to open cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms a steep decline in training opportunities in open cholecystectomy, but also raises concern about a Dunning-Kruger effect as, despite this lack of experience, the majority felt "somewhat comfortable" or "very comfortable" in converting to open surgery. Trainees need first to be familiar with safer alternatives to conversion. Surgical trainers need to consider the assessment of confidence as well as competence as an endpoint of trainee evaluation.

Differences in Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Duct Injury Care: A Comparative Analysis of 2 Different Health-Care Public Institutions in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: Southeast Mexico

BACKGROUND

Mexican health system structure allows us to study the differences in bile duct injury (BDI) management. The study aimed to assess the differences in patients with complex BDI in 2 different public sector institutions using a new proposed standard terminology.

METHODS

Retrospective review (2008-2019) in 2 public institutions (IMSS/SESVER). Bismuth-Strasberg E injuries with hepaticojejunostomy were included. Data are presented in a tabular reporting system. The outcomes were percent of patients attaining primary patency, loss of primary patency, and actuarial primary patency rate.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients (IMSS: n = 37; SESVER: n = 41) without differences in demographic and preoperative assessment were studied. BDI occurred mostly in outside hospitals. Open cholecystectomy was the most common index operation in SESVER (73%, p = 0.02). IMSS had more surgeries (p = 0.007) and repair attempts (p = 0.06) prior to referral. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was more commonly used in IMSS patients. Biliary stents (45%) and cholangitis (29%) were more common in IMSS (p < 0.05). IMSS patients had longer follow-up than SESVER (p < 0.05). No differences in primary patency rates (IMSS: 89%, SESVER: 97%) and actuarial patency rates were noted.

DISCUSSION

Despite differences in referral, preoperative, and operative events, good BDI repair outcomes can be achieved. Longer follow-up is needed to monitor these outcomes.

Less is more in the difficult gallbladder: recent evolution of subtotal cholecystectomy in a single HPB unit

INTRODUCTION

Subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) is a technique to manage the difficult gallbladder and avoid hazardous dissection and biliary injury. Until recently it was used infrequently. However, because of reduced exposure to open total cholecystectomy in resident training, we recently adopted subtotal cholecystectomy as the bail-out procedure of choice for resident teaching. This study reports our experience and outcomes with subtotal cholecystectomy in the years immediately preceding adoption and since adoption.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of patients undergoing SC from July 2010 to June 2019. Outcomes, including bile leak, reoperation and need for additional procedures, were analyzed. Complications were graded by the Modified Accordion Grading Scale (MAGS).

RESULTS

1571 cholecystectomies were performed of which 71 were SC. Subtotal cholecystectomy patients had several indicators of difficulty including prior attempted cholecystectomy and previous cholecystostomy tube insertion. The most common indication for SC was marked inflammation in the hepatocystic triangle (51%). As our experience increased, fewer patients required open conversion to accomplish SC and SC was completed laparoscopically, usually subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy (SFC). Most patients (85%) had a drain placed and 28% were discharged with a drain. The highest MAGS complication observed was grade 3 (11 patients, 15%). Six patients had a bile leak from the cystic duct resolved by ERCP. At mean follow-up of about 1 year no patient returned with recurrent symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtotal fenestrating cholecystectomy is a useful technique to avoid biliary injury in the difficult gallbladder and can be performed with very satisfactory rates of bile fistula, ERCP, and reoperation.

Safe laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy in the face of severe inflammation in the cystohepatic triangle: a retrospective review and proposed management strategy for the difficult gallbladder

Background

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) can be employed when extensive fibrosis or inflammation of the cystohepatic triangle prohibits safe dissection of the cystic duct and artery. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes in patients with severe cholecystitis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) or LSC.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we compared the postoperative outcomes of patients with severe cholecystitis who underwent LC or LSC between July 2010 and July 2016 at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Toronto. We further stratified LSC cases on the basis of the extent of gallbladder (GB) dissection and GB remnant closure.

Results

A total of 105 patients who underwent LC and 46 who underwent LSC were included in the study. There were 4 bile duct injuries in the LC group and 0 in the LSC group. Bile leaks (relative risk [RR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–11.5) and subphrenic collections (RR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3–8.0) were more common in the LSC group. Overall postoperative morbidity did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (RR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1–9.5) and biliary stent insertion (RR 4.6, 95% CI 1.2–17.5) were more common in the LSC group. Bile leaks appeared to be more prominent with open GB remnants but all cases of leak were successfully managed with ERCP and biliary stenting.

Conclusion

LSC may mitigate the risk of bile duct injury when dissection into the cystohepatic triangle is unsafe. There were more bile leaks in patients who underwent LSC; however, they were readily managed with endoscopic stents. Long-term biliary fistulae were not observed. LSC should be considered early as a means of completing difficult cholecystectomies safely without the need for cholecystostomy tube or conversion to laparotomy.

National Trends in General Surgery Resident Exposure to Complex Oncology-Relevant Cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate trends in surgical resident exposure to complex oncologic procedures in order to determine whether additional fellowship training is necessary.

DESIGN

An observational study of national Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case log statistical reports was conducted to determine the average number of cases for selected oncology-relevant procedures completed during training. Linear regression and Cusick trend tests were used to assess temporal trends with the null hypothesis assuming an estimated slope of zero. Instrumental variable estimation was used to study the effect of duty-hour restrictions on oncologic cases per year.

SETTING

United States general surgery residency training programs.

PARTICIPANTS

Graduating surgical residents completing their training between 2000 and 2016.

RESULTS

Across the study interval, mean case volume was 950.6 ± 29.7 (standard deviation) cases with 38.9 ± 3.1 complex oncologic cases per graduating resident. Decreasing trends were noted for average exposure to lymphadenectomies (-7.8 cases/decade; 95% confidence interval [CI] -8.8 to -6.8) and low rectal procedures (-0.9 cases/decade; 95% CI -1.2 to -0.6). There was no clinically important change in complex soft-tissue resections and foregut cases. A significant increase was seen in number of hepatopancreaticobiliary procedures (+3.9 cases/decade; 95% CI 3.1-4.7). Using instrumental variable estimation, there was a modest decline in cancer-relevant cases by 5.0 cases/decade (95% CI 4.5-5.6), while there was an increase in 38.5 total cases/decade (95% CI 10.4-66.7) associated with duty-hour restrictions.

CONCLUSIONS

Case numbers for several complex oncologic procedures remain low, justifying a need for further fellowship training depending on individual resident experience.

First case report of bile leak from the duct of Luschka in a patient with mini-gastric bypass: The challenge of management

Introduction

The incidence of Bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy approaches 0.11%–1.4%. Ducts of Luschka are the second most common site of bile leaks. The rarity of these ducts with cases of anatomical alterations in the gastrointestinal tract such as mini-gastric bypass makes the management a challenging option.

Presentation of case

Hereby we present a unique case of 28 year old female patient with mini-gastric bypass who had done uneventful cholecystectomy. Day 3 postoperatively patient complained of diffuse abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed free fluid in the abdomen. Liver enzymes were normal. Relaparoscopy showed leaking bile duct of Luschka, which was closed by surgical clips and drains left in the spaces. However bile leak continued for 4 weeks then stopped. Patient did well after all.

Discussion

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy played a crucial role for diagnosis and treatment of bile leaks with success rate near 94%. However no data were available using this method in a patient with Mini-gastric bypass procedure. Many authors have argued the role of relaparoscopy, but it is still an important way for adequate drainage and control of bile leakage. The only significant factor in determining clinical outcome in cases of non-surgical management is the type of bile duct injury.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of bile leak from duct of Luschka after mini-gastric bypass treated successfully with relaparoscopy and drainage. Herein we will discuss all the available options of treatment and the challenge of it.

•

The combination of Duct of Luschka in a patient with mini-gastric bypass is unique in the literature.

•

The challenge of management especially endoscopic one puts a great pressure on both surgeons and gastroenterologists.

•

NO single data available in the literature in doing ERCP by any method in a patient with mini-gastric bypass.

Single-incision laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in 101 consecutive patients: choledochotomy, transcystic, and transfistulous approaches

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery for choledocholithiasis is still evolving. Only a few reports of single-incision laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) have been published.

METHODS

One hundred and one consecutive patients underwent single-incision LCBDE (SILCBDE) by one surgeon with straight instruments during a 42-month period.

RESULTS

Choledochotomies were performed on 61 patients (60.4%). The success rate of intrahepatic duct exploration was 68.0% (17/25) for patients undergoing transcystic choledochoscopic bile duct explorations following longitudinal cystic ductotomies. The ductal clearance rate was 100%. Eighteen procedures (17.8%) were converted, including one open surgery. Nineteen patients (18.8%) experienced 26 episodes of complications; the majority (19 episodes) were classified as Clavien-Dindo grade I. Excluding those patients with Mirizzi syndrome (McSherry type II), multivariate logistic regressions showed that patients who were older or had complicated cholecystitis had higher procedure conversion rates and that higher modified APACHE II scores, higher white blood cell counts, and longer operative times were independent risk factors for complications. Based on operative times, 20 successful SILCBDEs were needed to get through the learning phase. A higher transcystic approach rate (46.5 vs. 8.3%; P < 0.01) and a shorter operative time (207 ± 62 vs. 259 ± 66 min; P < 0.01) were observed in the experienced phase. Compared with our early series of multi-incision LCBDE, the SILCBDE group had a higher bile duct stone clearance rate (100 vs. 94.4%; P < 0.05) and a higher proportion of patients with concomitant acute cholecystitis (59.6 vs. 22.2%; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

LCBDE with a 100% ductal clearance rate is possible following an algorithm for various approaches. SILCBDE is feasible under a low threshold for procedure conversion. A transcystic approach should be tried first if indicated, and a longitudinal cystic ductotomy to the cystocholedochal junction is beneficial. Prospective, randomized trials comparing single-incision and multi-incision LCBDE are anticipated.

Comparison of Risk-Adjusted Outcomes in Medicare Open versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

More than 90 per cent of cholecystectomies are performed laparoscopically and this has resulted in concern that surgeons will not have sufficient experience to perform open procedures when clinical circumstances require it. We reviewed the open cholecystectomies (OCs) of Medicare patients from 2010 to 2012 in hospitals with 20 or more cases, created risk-adjusted models for adverse outcomes which were evaluated for 90-days after discharge, and compared the hospital-level outcomes with laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in the same hospitals for the same period of time. Results demonstrated that inpatient deaths, inpatient prolonged length-of-stay outliers, 90-day postdischarge deaths without readmission, and 90-day readmissions were statistically the same with an overall adverse outcome rate of 21.6 per cent in OC versus 20.9 per cent in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conversion of laparoscopic to open procedures was not associated with increased adverse outcomes. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides patients with many advantages, but when clinical circumstances are necessary, OC continues to be performed with the same overall adverse outcome rates, and the conversion process is not associated with poorer results in this high-risk population of patients.

Protocol-Driven Management of Suspected Common Duct Stones

BACKGROUND

Common duct stones can be diagnosed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)/ERCP, and intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). In 2015, our group adopted a standard approach of preoperative EUS/ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with an admission bilirubin >4.0 mg/dL. For bilirubin <4.0 mg/dL, laparoscopic cholecystectomy with IOC was the initial procedure. Postoperative EUS/ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy was pursued for positive IOC. Exclusions included clinical suspicion of malignancy and surgically altered anatomy making endoscopic management impractical.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective comparison of protocol and pre-protocol (baseline) patients was performed, looking at patient demographics, presence of pancreatitis, common duct stone risk factors, comorbidities, length of hospitalization, and postoperative morbidity. Statistical analysis was performed with t-test, chi-square, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test with significance at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

There were 56 patients in each group, with a mean ± SD age of 50.5 ± 20.88 years and 49.3 ± 20.92 years, respectively (p = NS). There were no significant differences between baseline and protocol patients with respect to individual and cumulative preoperative comorbidities, pancreatitis, elevation of liver function tests, bilirubin, common duct size, and postoperative morbidity. There were fewer endoscopies (22 vs 35; p = 0.014), and shorter length of stay in protocol patients (2.8 days vs 3.8 days; p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

Protocol-driven management of patients with suspected common duct stones reduced the number of endoscopies and length of hospitalization, with no change in postoperative morbidity. This approach has the potential to decrease endoscopy-related morbidity and overall cost without affecting quality of care.