540 Outcomes of Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy; a Single Centre Review from a District General Hospital in Northern Ireland

Abstract

Abstract Aim Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration is a one-stage therapeutic option for patients presenting with choledocholithiasis. This is a review of outcomes for patients who underwent this procedure in a district general hospital setting in Northern Ireland over a two-year period. Method This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data concerning all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration between October 2021 and October 2023. Data were reviewed to include pre-operative liver function, pre-operative imaging, rate of conversion to open procedure, length of stay, and readmission rate due to complications. Results 106 patients were included in the review. The average length of stay was 2.7 days (with a median of 1 day). 87.7% of patients had deranged liver function tests on the morning of surgery, and 100% had proven choledocholithiasis on cross-sectional imaging prior to proceeding to theatre. Only two patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy. No patients developed post-operative pancreatitis. The complication rate was 11.3%, with most complications being of Clavien-Dindo Grade I or II. The readmission rate was 7.5%. Conclusions Common bile duct exploration at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy represents a safe and effective method for management of choledocholithiasis. It can be considered as an alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as a therapeutic option in an appropriately selected patient group.