Increased ERCP rate following the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Do all patients with abnormal intraoperative cholangiogram merit endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is commonly used for postoperative evaluation of an abnormal intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). Although a normal IOC is very suggestive of a disease-free common bile duct (CBD), abnormal studies are associated with high false-positive rates. This study aimed to identify a subset of patients with abnormal IOC who would benefit from a postoperative ERCP.

METHODS

This prospective study investigated 51 patients with abnormal IOC at laparoscopic cholecystectomy who underwent postoperative ERCP at two tertiary referral centers over a 3-year period. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine predictors of CBD stones at postoperative ERCP.

RESULTS

For all 51 patients, ERCP was successful. The ERCP showed CBD stones in 33 cases (64.7%), and normal results in 18 cases (35.2%). On univariate analysis, abnormal liver function tests (p < 0.0001) as well as IOC findings of a large CBD stone (p = 0.03), multiple stones (p = 0.01), and a dilated CBD (p = 0.07) predicted the presence of retained stones at postoperative ERCP. However, on multivariable analysis, only abnormal liver function tests correlated with the presence of CBD stones (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

One-third of patients with an abnormal IOC have a normal postoperative ERCP. Elevated liver function tests can help to identify patients who merit further evaluation by ERCP. The use of less invasive methods such as endoscopic ultrasound or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography should be considered for patients with normal liver function tests to minimize unnecessary ERCPs.

Timing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of choledocholithiasis

Although experience with laparoscopic approaches to common duct stones is increasing, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed either before or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains the most common approach. Debate remains as to the best timing for ERCP in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. Because clinical, laboratory, and radiological data are poor predictors of choledocholithiasis, many ERCPs done before LC give negative results. ERCP performed after LC with a positive intraoperative cholangiogram (i.o.p.) would eliminate many unnecessary preoperative endoscopic studies. This is a retrospective analysis of the treatment of choledocholithiasis with the combination of LC and ERCP. All patients included could have had ERCP preoperatively or postoperatively; therefore, those with cholangitis requiring emergent preoperative ERCP were excluded. Two groups of patients were compared: those who underwent ERCP followed by LC and those who underwent LC and IOC followed by ERCP. No significant differences were found with respect to age, gender, health status, clinical presentation, laboratory values (most liver functions, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and serum amylase), surgery time, blood loss, ERCP time, time between treatment modalities, and days to regular diet. However, the preoperative ERCP group was found to have a longer hospital stay (6.7 days vs. 3.5 days, p = 0.003) and higher hospital cost ($9,406.39 vs. $12,816.23, p = 0.05). The preoperative ERCP group had two patients requiring two ERCPs to clear the common duct, one patient requiring conversion to open procedure because of failed LC, and four minor complications. The postoperative ERCP group had no failed LC, IOC, or postoperative ERCPs and one minor complication. The rate of false positive IOC was 6.7% and of negative preoperative ERCP, 43%. We conclude that in the absence of cholangitis requiring emergent endoscopic decompression, suspected choledocholithiasis can be successfully managed first with LC, ERCP being reserved for patients with a positive IOC. This eliminates many negative preoperative ERCPs.