Comparative Study between Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Plus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Choledocholithiasis

Abstract
Background: Overall, 5% to 15% of patients undergoing cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis have concomitant bile duct stones, and the incidence of choledocholithiasis increases with age. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with consequent Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) has been the favored approach for the treatment of choledo-cholithiasis for quite a long time; however in the course of recent years, Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) has been offered to patients with suspected choledo-cholithiasis.
Aim of Study: The aim of this work is to compare the efficacy, safety, and the surgical outcomes of LCBDE with ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and deter-mine the most appropriate approach for patients with choledo-cholithiasis.
Patients and Methods: A prospective randomized clinical study was carried out from March 2017 to September 2018. It included 50 patients with cholecysto-choledocholithiasis who were divided into two groups: Group A (25 patients) included patients who underwent laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration and stone extraction with LC in one stage, and Group B (25 patients) included patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for CBD stone extraction followed by LC in two stages. The Common Bile Duct (CBD) stone clearance rate, post-operative bile leakage, post-operative morbidity, mortality, overall hospital stay, and patient satisfaction were analyzed.
Results: LCBDE and ERCP+LC were similar in terms of clearance rate, operative time postoperative complications, retained CBD stones, and postoperative length of stay, but there was a significant difference in number of procedures and patient satisfaction.
Conclusion: Although both approaches have equivalent success rates, LCBDE is better in terms of fewer procedures, and better satisfaction compared with ERCP + LC. Our study suggests that one-stage management is the treatment of choice for patients with cholecystocholedocholithiasis.