Timing of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Abstract Objective This study was performed to compare the effect of different time intervals between endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) on the operation duration, postoperative hospitalization, and postoperative complications. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed data for 105 patients with cholecystocholedocholithiasis who underwent ERCP and LC from January 2016 to May 2019. The patients were divided into three groups. In Group A, the interval from ERCP to LC was ≤3 days; in Group B, the interval was 4–6 days; and in Group C, the interval was >6 days. We compared operation duration, blood loss volume, postoperative hospitalization, and rate of biliary complications among the three groups and analyzed the risk factors for postoperative complications. Results Operation duration differed significantly between Groups A and B (47.5 min vs. 60.0 min, p = 0.033) and between Groups B and C (60.0 min vs. 47.5 min, p = 0.033). The median blood loss volume was significantly less in Group A than in Group B (8 ml vs. 10 ml, p = 0.041), and the postoperative hospitalization and rate of postoperative complications did not differ significantly. Conclusion The best time for patients with cholecystocholedocholithiasis to undergo LC is 0–3 days after ERCP. If the operation cannot be performed within 3 days, we recommend 6 days after ERCP.