have a higher risk of acute cholecystitis and are possible candidates for prophylactic cholecystectomy.
INTRODUCTIONEndoscopic sphincterotomy is the treatment of choice for patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones. The high success rate and safety of this modality have been well established by a number of studies [1][2][3][4][5] . Because gallstones may pass from the gallbladder (GB) into the CBD, calculous GB is considered to be one of the risk factors for the recurrence of bile duct stones after sphincterotomy [4,6] . Some studies have compared the results of the wait-andsee policy and prophylactic cholecystectomy to prevent biliary complications but arrived at contradictory results [7][8][9] . Thus, it still remains controversial as to whether subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy is indicated in patients with concurrent GB stones. Most studies have focused on the identification of predictors of CBD stone recurrence, which can be treated again endoscopically without surgery; however, the development of acute cholecystitis is a definite indication of cholecystectomy. So the risk factors of subsequent acute cholecystitis are more important than those of recurrent CBD stones in terms of the decision concerning prophylactic cholecystectomy. However, few studies have identified the risk factors of acute cholecystitis after endoscopic CBD stone removal in patients with GB in situ. The aims of this study were to assess the risks of biliary symptom recurrence and to identify the risk factors of acute cholecystitis in patients with GB in situ who have received endoscopic CBD stone removal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PatientsThe medical records of patients with GB in situ who Abstract AIM: To evaluate the risk factors of acute cholecystitis after endoscopic common bile duct (CBD) stone removal.PO Box 2345, Beijing 100023, China World J Gastroenterol 2006 February 14; 12(6): 956-960 www.wjgnet.com World Journal of Gastroenterology ISSN 1007-9327 wjg@wjgnet.com © 2006 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.
RAPID COMMUNICATION
METHODS:A total 100 of patients who underwent endoscopic CBD stone removal with gallbladder (GB) in situ without subsequent cholecystectomy from January 2000 to July 2004 were evaluated retrospectively. The following factors were considered while evaluating risk factors for the development of acute cholecystitis: age, gender, serum bilirubin level, GB wall thickening, cystic duct patency, presence of a GB stone, CBD diameter, residual stone, lithotripsy, juxtapapillary diverticulum, presence of liver cirrhosis or diabetes mellitus, a presenting illness of cholangitis or pancreatitis, and procedure-related complications.
RESULTS:During a mean 18-mo follow-up, 28 (28%) patients developed biliary symptoms; 17 (17%) acute cholecystitis and 13 (13%) CBD stone recurrence. Of patients with acute cholecystitis, 15 (88.2%) received laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 2 (11.8%) open cholecystectomy. All recurrent CBD stones were successfully removed endoscopically. The mean time elapse to acute cholecystitis was 1...