Intraoperative ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treatment of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis

Objective: To evaluate the benefit of intraoperative ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the treatment of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis. Methods: Fifty-two patients with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis (as determined by intraoperative cholangiography) were randomly divided into 2 groups during LC. In group A (27 patients), common bile duct stones were extracted by intraoperative EST during LC. In group B(25 patients), common bile duct (CBD) stones were extracted by conversion to open CBD exploration and cholecyctectomy. Results: The success rate was 26/27 (96.3%) in group A and 25/25 (100%) in group B (0.25<P<0.5); The mean postoperative hospitalization was 3.32±0.56 days in group A and 17.5±4.61 days in group B (P<0.001). In group A, two cases were complicated transient hyperamylasemia after the combined procedure. In group B, one case of bile leakage and one case of duodenal ulcer occurred after conversion to open cholecystectomy with CBD exploration. There were no retained stones in group A but 2 cases in group B. Conclusion: Intraoperative ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy combined with LC for treatment of cholelithiasis and chiledochlithiasis is safe, effective and results in shorter hospitalization and fewer complications than traditional open cholecystectomy with CBD exploration.