Single-stage Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Cholecystocholedocholithiasis: Which to Start With?

Chronic calculous cholecystitis is associated with common bile duct (CBD) stones in approximately 12% of patients. These patients need both cholecystectomy and CBD clearance of stones. The standard for cholecystectomy is laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and the mostly common treatment used for CBD clearance is Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The two interventions can be combined to be done at the same time under single anesthesia session. Studies of single stage ERCP+LC showed confirmed the safety and efficacy of the combined technique. However, some surgeons start with the ERCP while others start with LC.The aim of this study is to compare the start with ERCP followed by LC to the start with LC followed by ERCP when the two techniques are combined at the same session for treatment of chronic calculous cholecystitis associated with CBD stones regarding efficacy and safety of the two approaches.