BACKGROUND: The management of common bile duct (CBD) stones in the laparoscopic era remains controversial with various management strategies employed by surgeons. The aim of this study was to ascertain the common practice across a single Australian state, and to see if a 'best practice' for CBD stone management could be established. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 390 general surgeons in New South Wales in April 1999. Data collected included the type of practice, number of cholecystectomies performed, preoperative markers of CBD stones, indications for preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), use of operative cholangiography (OC) and the management of CBD stones found on OC. RESULTS: The questionnaire was returned by 223 (57%) surgeons. Fifty-four (14%) of these respondents were excluded as they did not perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, leaving 169 (43%) respondents for analysis. The preoperative indicators for CBD stones were ranked as: jaundice > dilated CBD on ultrasound > serum bilirubin > serum alkaline phosphatase/alanine aminotransferase > previous biliary pancreatitis. Preoperative ERCP would be performed by 88% for persistent jaundice or cholangitis, 33% for elevated liver function test, 25% for dilated CBD and 24% for biliary pancreatitis. Operative cholangiography is routinely performed by 67%, selectively by 29% and never by 4%. If CBD stones are encountered 47% would attempt laparoscopic clearance via the cystic duct or choledochotomy; however, 72% replied that they would use postoperative ERCP as part of their usual strategy for the management of CBD stones. CONCLUSIONS: There was no clear common pattern for the management of suspected or proven CBD stones. There were three management issues in which there was a 'common practice'. These were: (i) the use of preoperative ERCP for patients with persistent jaundice or cholangitis; and the routine use of (ii) OC and (iii) postoperative ERCP to clear the CBD, assuming other methods had failed.
BACKGROUND: The management of common bile duct (CBD) stones in the laparoscopic era remains controversial with various management strategies employed by surgeons. The aim of this study was to ascertain the common practice across a single Australian state, and to see if a 'best practice' for CBD stone management could be established. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 390 general surgeons in New South Wales in April 1999. Data collected included the type of practice, number of cholecystectomies performed, preoperative markers of CBD stones, indications for preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), use of operative cholangiography (OC) and the management of CBD stones found on OC. RESULTS: The questionnaire was returned by 223 (57%) surgeons. Fifty-four (14%) of these respondents were excluded as they did not perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy, leaving 169 (43%) respondents for analysis. The preoperative indicators for CBD stones were ranked as: jaundice > dilated CBD on ultrasound > serum bilirubin > serum alkaline phosphatase/alanine aminotransferase > previous biliary pancreatitis. Preoperative ERCP would be performed by 88% for persistent jaundice or cholangitis, 33% for elevated liver function test, 25% for dilated CBD and 24% for biliary pancreatitis. Operative cholangiography is routinely performed by 67%, selectively by 29% and never by 4%. If CBD stones are encountered 47% would attempt laparoscopic clearance via the cystic duct or choledochotomy; however, 72% replied that they would use postoperative ERCP as part of their usual strategy for the management of CBD stones. CONCLUSIONS: There was no clear common pattern for the management of suspected or proven CBD stones. There were three management issues in which there was a 'common practice'. These were: (i) the use of preoperative ERCP for patients with persistent jaundice or cholangitis; and the routine use of (ii) OC and (iii) postoperative ERCP to clear the CBD, assuming other methods had failed.
Authors: Rosa Jorba; Mihai C Pavel; Erik Llàcer-Millán; Laia Estalella; Mar Achalandabaso; Elisabet Julià-Verdaguer; Esther Nve; Erlinda D Padilla-Zegarra; Josep M Badia; Donal B O'Connor; Robert Memba Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2020-09-23 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: Bobby V M Dasari; Chuan Jin Tan; Kurinchi Selvan Gurusamy; David J Martin; Gareth Kirk; Lloyd McKie; Tom Diamond; Mark A Taylor Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2013-12-12
Authors: A M Paganini; M Guerrieri; J Sarnari; A De Sanctis; G D'Ambrosio; G Lezoche; E Lezoche Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2005-03-23 Impact factor: 4.584