BACKGROUND: This study investigated whether failure to identify common bile duct stones at laparoscopic cholecystectomy results in significant postoperative complications related to retained stones. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the case notes of 377 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy without routine operative cholangiography under a single surgeon in a district general hospital between 1995 and 1999. Highly selective preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was employed to identify and manage suspected bile duct stones in pancreatitis, jaundice, persistently elevated liver function tests, or a dilated common bile duct. RESULTS: Eighteen (4.8%) of 377 patients presented postoperatively with symptoms/signs suggesting biliary pathology. Two (0.5%) were confirmed to have retained duct stones/debris (ultrasound/ERCP); both recovered with conservative treatment. Only 1 patient of 274 (0.4%) without preoperative ERCP subsequently presented with a symptomatic retained stone, the other having been stented preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Highly selective preoperative ERCP without routine operative cholangiography is not associated with a significant increase in morbidity/mortality related to retained stones following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
BACKGROUND: This study investigated whether failure to identify common bile duct stones at laparoscopic cholecystectomy results in significant postoperative complications related to retained stones. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of the case notes of 377 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy without routine operative cholangiography under a single surgeon in a district general hospital between 1995 and 1999. Highly selective preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was employed to identify and manage suspected bile duct stones in pancreatitis, jaundice, persistently elevated liver function tests, or a dilated common bile duct. RESULTS: Eighteen (4.8%) of 377 patients presented postoperatively with symptoms/signs suggesting biliary pathology. Two (0.5%) were confirmed to have retained duct stones/debris (ultrasound/ERCP); both recovered with conservative treatment. Only 1 patient of 274 (0.4%) without preoperative ERCP subsequently presented with a symptomatic retained stone, the other having been stented preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Highly selective preoperative ERCP without routine operative cholangiography is not associated with a significant increase in morbidity/mortality related to retained stones following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Authors: J S Barkun; G M Fried; A N Barkun; H H Sigman; E J Hinchey; J Garzon; M J Wexler; J L Meakins Journal: Ann Surg Date: 1993-09 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: Rosa Bertolín-Bernades; Luis Sabater-Ortí; Julio Calvete-Chornet; Bruno Camps-Vilata; Norberto Cassinello-Fernández; Miguel Oviedo-Bravo; Purificación Ivorra-García Monco; Raúl Cánovas-de Lucas; Salvador Lledó-Matoses Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2007-07 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Richard A Pierce; Sreenivasa Jonnalagadda; Jennifer A Spitler; Deron J Tessier; Jane M Liaw; Shelly C Lall; Lora M Melman; Margaret M Frisella; Laura M Todt; L Michael Brunt; Valerie J Halpin; J Christopher Eagon; Steven A Edmundowicz; Brent D Matthews Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2008-03-06 Impact factor: 4.584