Gut Liver.  2011 Mar;5(1):65-69.

The Efficacy of Early Scheduled Follow-Up Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography after Common Bile Duct Stone Removal

• Kim JN
• Lee HS
• Jung SW
• Koo JS
• Yim HJ
• Lee SW
• Choi JH
• Kim CD
• Ryu HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
To investigate the efficacy of early scheduled follow-up endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after common bile duct (CBD) stone removal.
METHODS
Patients who underwent endoscopic CBD stone removal and who had at least one risk factor for stone recurrence were enrolled. Six months after complete clearance of the CBD, patients underwent follow-up ERCP at an ambulatory care center, irrespective of symptoms.
RESULTS
The incidence of symptoms and cholangitis at follow-up ERCP was significantly lower in Group A (ERCP at 6 months after stone removal) than that in Group B (ERCP at >6 months) (14.3% vs 71.4%, p=0.00; 9.5% vs 33.3%, p=0.02, respectively). However, the recurrence rates of CBD stones were not different between Groups A and B (33.3% vs 47.6%). When comparing the subgroups, Group AR (stone recurrence in Group A) displayed significantly fewer symptoms and lesser cholangitis and spent fewer days in the hospital than did Group BR (stone recurrence in Group B) (21.4% vs 70%, p=0.02; 14.3% vs 60%, p=0.02; 2.43+/-1.87 vs 6.10+/-3.35, p=0.00, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that, irrespective of symptoms, early scheduled follow-up ERCP for patients who are at a high risk of recurrence is effective and safe.

Keyword

Risk factor; Recurrence; Common bile duct stone; Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; Cholangitis

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
Cholangitis
Common Bile Duct
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Incidence
Recurrence
Risk Factors