O-EGS03 Laparoscopic surgery versus Endoscopy in the management Common Bile Duct Stones: systematic review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background With the advancement in minimally invasive surgery, a 1 stage Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) followed by Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is a great alternative to removing the gallbladder and CBD stones provided the surgeon possesses the necessary skills. The current guidelines for managing CBD stones is the 2 stage approach, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by (LC). The objective of this study is to assess whether LCBDE+LC should be the gold standard in managing CBD stones by comparing the clearance rate of common bile duct stones, morbidity, mortality, and the duration of hospital stay with ERCP+LC. Methods This is a systematic review with a meta-analysis that included RCTs of patients who were treated by the LCBDE/LC versus ERCP+LC. The PRISMA guidelines for reporting systemic reviews were followed. RCTs were collected by 2 authors Independently from Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline and Embase. Statistical analysis was carried out by a computer application called Review Manager using the Mantel–Haenszel method, the results were then plotted on a Forest Plot diagram and the 2 groups were then compared. Results 849 patients from 7 RCTs were included in the study, 426 patients in the ERCP+LC arm and 423 in the LCBDE/LC arm. According to the Meta-analysis, Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration with Cholecystectomy was significantly superior to ERCP + LC in terms of successful Clearance of CBD stone, mortality rate, and Acute Pancreatitis. but had significantly higher rates in biliary leakages. There were no significant differences in Surgical Site Infections, Haemorrhages, Acute Cholangitis, Perforations, or duration of hospital stay between the two arms. Conclusions The current evidence suggests that LCBDE/LC is superior in successful CBD stone clearance, mortality, and acute pancreatitis. However, further RCTs will be needed to assess overall Morbidity, surgical site infections, Haemorrhages, Acute Cholangitis, perforations, or duration of hospital stay. The current guidelines must be reviewed to consider LCBDE/LC as the gold standard in managing patients with CBD stones.