The prognostic index has good diagnostic accuracy but dividing patients into two risk groups is insufficient. The suggested model allows determining an intermediate-risk group, which requires additional investigation. Both management approaches are appropriate.

Background The optimal approach for patients with gallbladder stones and intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis remains undetermined. The use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for diagnosis should be minimized as it carries considerable risk of postprocedural complications, and nowadays, less invasive and safer techniques are available. Objective This study compares the two management strategies of endoscopic ultrasound before laparoscopic cholecystectomy and intraoperative cholangiography for patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis and intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis. Methods This is a randomized, active-controlled, single-center clinical trial enrolling adult patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallbladder stones with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis. The risk of choledocholithiasis is calculated using an original prognostic score (the Vilnius University Hospital Index). This index in a retrospective evaluation showed better prognostic performance than the score proposed by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in 2010. A total of 106 participants will be included and randomized into two groups. Evaluation of bile ducts using endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography on demand will be performed before laparoscopic cholecystectomy for one arm (“endoscopy first”). Intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography on demand will be performed in another arm (“cholecystectomy first”). Postoperative follow-up is 6 months. The primary endpoint is the length of hospital stay. The secondary endpoints are accuracy of the different management strategies, adverse events of the interventions, duct clearance and technical success of the interventions (intraoperative cholangiography, endoscopic ultrasound, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography), and cost of treatment. Results The trial protocol was approved by the Vilnius Regional Biomedical Research Ethics Committee in December 2017. Enrollment of patients was started in January 2018. As of June 2020, 66 patients have been enrolled. Conclusions This trial is planned to determine the superior strategy for patients with intermediate risk of common bile duct stones and to define a simple and safe algorithm for managing choledocholithiasis. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03658863; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03658863. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/18837

Bile duct stones are a quite common (10–18%) complication of gallstone disease or an autonomous condition. New noninvasive diagnostic methods established in the last decades allow to confirm suspected choledocholithiasis with minimal risk of iatrogenic complications.In this literature review we discuss various scores for choledocholithiasis risk degree, different diagnostic investigations and management approaches including timing for invasive procedures.

The Preoperative Prediction and Management of Choledocholithiasis before Planned Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy based on Individual Risk of Choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND The optimal approach for patients with gallbladder stones and intermediate risk for choledocholithiasis still remains undetermined. Use of diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should be minimized as it carries considerable risk of post-procedural complications. OBJECTIVE This study compares two different management strategies: intraoperative cholangiography and endoscopic ultrasound before laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis and intermediate risk for choledocholithiasis. METHODS It is a diagnostic randomized active-controlled single-center clinical trial enrolling adult patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to symptomatic gallbladder stones with intermediate risk for choledocholithiasis. The risk for choledocholithiasis is calculated using an original prognostic score – Vilnius University Hospital Index. A total of 106 participants will be included and randomized into two groups. Evaluation of bile ducts using endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography on demand will be performed before laparoscopic cholecystectomy for one arm (“Endoscopy first”). Intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography on demand will be administered in another arm (“Cholecystectomy first”). Postoperative follow-up is 6 months. RESULTS The primary endpoint is the length of hospital stay. Secondary endpoints will include accuracy of the different management strategies, adverse events of interventions, duct clearance and technical success of interventions (intraoperative cholangiography, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography), costs of treatment. CONCLUSIONS This trial is planned determine which strategy is better approach for a patient with intermediate common bile duct stones risk and to define a simple to calculate and safe algorithm on managing choledocholithiasis. CLINICALTRIAL The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, identification number NCT03658863.