No abstract

Background: In patients with choledochocystolithiasis (CCL), early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), within 72 hours, is recommended after endoscopic stone extraction. The objective of this study is to investigate LC for CCL within 24 hours of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to determine its feasibility and safety. Materials and methods:Group I, those patients who had LC within 24 hours after ERCP was compared with group II, those who had LC after 24 hours, but within 72 hours. Primary outcome was the conversion rate from LC to open cholecystectomy. Secondary outcomes were duration of LC, postoperative morbidity and hospital stay. Results:Of 60 consecutive patients, 31 were in group I and 29 were in group II. There were no differences in groups I vs II in demographics, laboratory or ultrasonographic findings. The hospital stay in group I was significantly shorter than that of group II (2.5 ± 1.5 vs 4 ± 2 days respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in operative time, conversion to open cholecystectomy or postoperative morbidity between both groups.Conclusion: LC for CCL within 24 hours after ERCP is feasible and safe with short hospital stay.