WTP3.4 Improvement of biliary service in hospital by altering the management of suspected or confirmed bile duct stones. Confirmed bile duct stones can be managed by single-stage procedure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) plus common bile duct exploration (CBDE). Intra-operative cholangiogram (IOC) can be used to avoid delays waiting for MRCP

Abstract

Abstract Background Significant delays can follow the process of emergency admissions with biliary problems in hospitals. Routine pathway for gallstones and abnormal liver functions tests (LFTs) is ultrasound (US) followed by MRCP. Pathway for confirmed common bile duct (CBD) stones has been routinely an ERCP followed by LC either as inpatient or outpatient. Significant delays take place awaiting MRCP considering that there is no out-of-hours or weekend service, while ERCP lists only occur twice weekly for both emergency and elective which can lead to unnecessary delays. Methods An audit was performed for 2 months period from 1st October 2022 to 30th November 2022 to assess how patients were managed in the department. Results A total of 16 emergency LCs were done in this period. 3 of them had ERCP prior to operation while 5 had MRCP prior to exclude CBD stones. Average length of stay (LOS) for these 8 patients was 7 days. It was estimated that LOS for these patient would have been reduced to 4 days if IOC +/- CBDE were done. A total of 37 ERCPs were done in the same period. 22 of them were done as emergency of which 12 were for CBD stones, 7 for cancers and 3 for bile leak. 7 of the 12 emergency ERCPs for CBD stones would have benefited from one stage procedure of LC + CBDE reducing their LOS and leaving space for other cases in ERCP lists. Conclusion A dedicated weekly IOC/CBDE list was proposed to overcome this problem.