PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: In patients suspected of harboring common duct stones, we performed ERCP prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Indications included jaundice, gallstone pancreatitis, elevated liver function tests, and visualizing a common duct stone and/or a dilated common duct on ultrasonography. Data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 217 patients undergoing LC, 37 (17%) had ERCP with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). Of these 37, common duct stones were noted in 19 patients (51%). Only 1 of 11 (9%) patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis had choledocholithiasis. The only complication following ERCP was pancreatitis in 1 patient who underwent uneventful LC. There were no deaths in the entire series. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP and ES is a safe and effective method of clearing the common duct of stones prior to LC. Patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis do not require ERCP prior to LC.
PURPOSE: To assess the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: In patients suspected of harboring common duct stones, we performed ERCP prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Indications included jaundice, gallstone pancreatitis, elevated liver function tests, and visualizing a common duct stone and/or a dilated common duct on ultrasonography. Data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of 217 patients undergoing LC, 37 (17%) had ERCP with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). Of these 37, common duct stones were noted in 19 patients (51%). Only 1 of 11 (9%) patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis had choledocholithiasis. The only complication following ERCP was pancreatitis in 1 patient who underwent uneventful LC. There were no deaths in the entire series. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP and ES is a safe and effective method of clearing the common duct of stones prior to LC. Patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis do not require ERCP prior to LC.
Authors: Maciej Kohut; Andrzej Nowak; Ewa Nowakowska-Dulawa; Tomasz Marek; Roman Kaczor Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 5.742