Sasani A, Mandavdhare HS, Sharma V, Shah J, Patil A, Gupta P, Samanta J, Singh H, Dutta U. Role of Biliary Stent in Recurrence of Biliary Stones and Complications After Stone Clearance in Patients Awaiting Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Trial.
Am J Gastroenterol 2023;
118:1864-1870. [PMID:
37561074 DOI:
10.14309/ajg.0000000000002471]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The role of prophylactic biliary stenting after clearance of choledocholithiasis in patients awaiting cholecystectomy for concomitant cholelithiasis is controversial. We planned a randomized controlled trial to study the effect of prophylactic biliary stenting after achieving biliary clearance in reducing recurrence of choledocholithiasis and biliary complications in patients awaiting cholecystectomy.
METHODS
Patients with concomitant cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis were included, and those who had evidence of clearance of choledocholithaisis (documented on occlusion cholangiogram during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography [ERC]) were randomized to prophylactic biliary stenting or no stenting. Choledocholithaisis recurrence rate (primary outcome), biliary complications and need for repeat/emergency ERC (secondary outcomes) were compared till 3 months after clearance.
RESULTS
Between September 2021 and July 2022, 70 patients were randomized into group A, stenting (n = 35), and group B, no stenting (n = 35). Sixty-six patients were included in the final analysis. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups. Ten (15.2%) patients had recurrence of choledocholithiasis, and it was comparable between the 2 groups (7/34 [20.6%] and 3/34 [9.4%], P = 0.306). Five patients (2 cholecystitis and 3 post-ERC pancreatitis) from the stent group while none from the no stent group developed complications, and this difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.024). None of the patients in both the groups needed emergency ERC during the follow-up.
DISCUSSION
This randomized trial shows a higher complication rate with prophylactic stenting, while there is no benefit in preventing choledocholithiasis recurrence in patients waiting for cholecystectomy after biliary clearance (CTRI registration number: CTRI/2021/09/036538).
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