Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration versus ERCP/stenting and cholecystectomy: Is a single staged procedure better?

Aims: Choledocholithiasis is most common cause of obstructive jaundice. Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy has evolved as an alternative procedure to ERCP/ stenting in the management of choledocholithiasis. This study was aimed to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic CBD exploration with cholecystectomy (group 1) as compared to the conventional two staged procedure involving ERCP/ stenting (group 2). Methods: 60 patients admitted to our department (mean age = 45.52, SD = 17.71, 15 males, 45 females) for the management of choledocholithiasis from April 2014 to October 2015 were included in the study. We reviewed retrospectively the patients' data including age, sex, duration of the surgery, intra-operative and postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, mortality and condition on follow-up. Results: Group 1 included 30 patients (mean age 50.76, 21 females, 9 males). The average operative time in this group was 110 minutes (96–145), stone clearance rate was 100%, and average hospital stay was 3.2 days (2–9). Group 2 also included 30 patients (mean age 44.36, 24 females, 6 males) with stone clearance rate of 70% (21 out of 30), average operative time 120.7 minutes (90–167), average hospital stay 9.1 (3–30) days and an average of 2.3 procedures per patient. Conclusion: In our study mean operative time, stone clearance rate, average hospital stay and average number of procedures per patient were found to be significantly lower in laparoscopic CBD exploration group. It can be concluded that laparoscopic CBD exploration with cholecystectomy is much safer and cost effective than the conventional two staged procedure involving ERCP/ stenting.