Timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in cholelithiasis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Comparison of 1-stage and 2-stage Managements for Common Bile Duct Stones and Gallstones (CBDS): A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and surgical outcomes of 2-stage management, namely preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) + laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ERCP+LC) or LC + postoperative ERCP (LC+ERCP), as well as 1-stage management, LC + laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for treating patients with gallstones and common bile duct stones (CBDS).

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed the data of 180 patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) who were admitted to the Department of General Surgery at Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, between January 2019 and June 2021. The study included 3 groups: ERCP+LC (group 1), LC+ERCP (group 2), and LC+LCBDE (group 3), each consisting of 60 patients. Clinical metrics of the patients were collected and compared among the groups.

RESULTS

Group 3 had the shortest operation duration and hospital stay compared with group 1 and group 2. In addition, group 3 had the lowest long-term postoperative complications, particularly the recurrence rate of CBDS. The total cost was also the lowest in group 3. Furthermore, patients in group 3 had the lowest postoperative amylase levels. All patients in the study achieved successful stone clearance. There were no significant differences in the conversion to other procedures rate, postoperative alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, and mortality among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both 1-stage management and 2-stage management are effective treatments for CBDS. The LC+LCBDE management is a safe treatment option, offering shorter hospital stays and operation duration, lower costs, and fewer complications.

The effect of previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography on subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy: The retrospective analysis of 1500 patients

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard for patients with acute cholecystitis at early period. However, 15%-20% of patients with acute cholecystitis develop obstructive jaundice, cholangitis and bile duct stones ultimately requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In such cases, a two-session approach is usually recommended, first ERCP followed by LC thereafter. However, the effect of prior ERCP on the difficulty of subsequent LC is unknown. Hence, the aim of the present study is to determine the effects of previous ERCP on the results of LC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this study, the files of 1500 patients who underwent LC were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups (500 patients for each group). The patients undergoing LC for asymptomatic cholelithiasis were assigned to the L-e group. The patients who underwent LC for acute cholecystitis were assigned to the L-c group. The patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent ERCP first and then LC were assigned to the L-ercp group. The rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy, operation times, complication rates and hospital stays of the three groups were compared.

RESULTS

The results of LC performed after ERCP are similar to the results of LC for cholecystitis without ERCP in terms of operation time, hospital stay, conversion and complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous ERCP does not affect the safety and effectiveness of early LC in patients with acute cholecystitis.