Abstract
This study investigated whether failure to identify common bile duct stones at laparoscopic cholecystectomy results in significant postoperative complications related to retained stones. 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. 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. 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.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.