Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography laparoscopic cholecystectomy: challenging but safe

Does the subtotal cholecystectomy rate for acute cholecystitis change with previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

BACKGROUND

Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common emergent surgeries. As a safe alternative in challenging operations, laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) is widely used. We questioned whether the results in acute cholecystitis cases changed with a history of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). When we searched the literature, we could not find a study focusing on the subtotal cholestectomy results in acute cholecystitis. In our study, we aimed to investigate whether the history of ERCP affects the rates of subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) in acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

The results of patients (n=470) who underwent surgery for acute cholecystitis at our clinic between 2016 and 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups according to their history of ERCP. The primary outcome was the SC rate. The secondary outcomes were conversion to open, postoperative complications, serious complications, operative duration, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

The standard group included 437 patients, whereas the ERCP group included 33 patients. A total of 16 patients underwent SC, with 15 in the standard group and 1 in the ERCP group. There was no significant difference in terms of SC rates between groups (P=0.902). While four cases of operation were completed with conversion to open in the non-ERCP group, no conversion was seen in the ERCP group (P=0.581). No significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of complications, serious compli-cations, operation duration, length of hospital stay, and mortality.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study showed that ERCP is not related to an increased rate of SC and conversion in patients with acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis can be safely performed in patients with a history of ERCP. LSC is a safe procedure in challenging patients, and fenestrating SC can be preferred to avoid hazardous consequences in such cases.

Is early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after clearance of common bile duct stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography superior?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

With medical advancement, common bile duct stones were treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), considered the standard treatment. However, ERCP might induce complications including pancreatitis and cholecystitis that could affect a subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), leading to conversion to open cholecystectomy perioperative complications. It is not yet known whether or not the time interval between ERCP and LC plays a role in increasing conversion rate and complications. Bides, in the traditional sense, after ERCP, for avoiding edema performing LC was several weeks later. Even no one study could definite whether early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after ERCP affected the prognosis or not clearly.

OBJECTIVE

Comparing some different surgical timings of LC after ERCP.

METHOD

Searching databases consist of all kinds of searching tools, such as Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, etc. All the included studies should meet the demands of this meta-analysis. In all interest outcomes below, we took full advantage of RevMan5 and WinBUGS to assess; the main measure was odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence. Moreover, considering the inconsistency of the specific time points in different studies, we set a subgroup to analyze the timing of LC after ERCP. For this part, Bayesian network meta-analysis was done with WinBUGS.

RESULT

In the pool of conversion rate, the result suggested that the early LC group was equal compared with late LC (OR = 0.68, I2 = 0%, P = .23). Besides, regarding morbidity, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (OR = 0.74, I2 = 0%, P = .26). However, early LC, especially for laparoscopic-endoscopic rendezvous that belonged to performing LC within 24 hours could reduce the post-ERCP pancreatitis (OR = 0.16, I2 = 29%, P = .0003). Considering early LC included a wide time and was not precise enough, we set a subgroup by Bayesian network, and the result suggested that performing LC during 24 to 72 hours was the lowest conversion rate (rank 1: 0%).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, LC within 24 to 72 hours conferred advantages in terms of the conversion rate, with no recurrence of acute cholecystitis episodes.

Common bile duct stones management: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Timely management is critical for treating symptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones; however, a single optimal management strategy has yet to be defined in the acute care setting. Consequently, this systematic review and network meta-analysis, comparing one-stage (CBD exploration or intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP] with simultaneous cholecystectomy) and two-stage (precholecystectomy or postcholecystectomy ERCP) procedures, was undertaken with the main outcomes of interest being postprocedural complications and hospital length of stay (LOS).

METHODS

PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were methodically queried for articles from 2010 to 2021. The search terms were a combination of medical subject headings terms and the subsequent terms: gallstone; common bile duct (stone); choledocholithiasis; cholecystitis; endoscopic retrograde cholangiography/ERCP; common bile duct exploration; intraoperative, preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography; stone extraction; and one-stage and two-stage procedure. Studies that compared two procedures or more were included, whereas studies not recording complications (bile leak, hemorrhage, pancreatitis, perforation, intra-abdominal infections, and other infections) or LOS were excluded. A network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the four different approaches for managing CBD stones.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies (8,644 participants) addressing the LOS and 41 studies (19,756 participants) addressing postprocedural complications were included in the analysis. The one-stage approaches were associated with a decrease in LOS compared with the two-stage approaches. Common bile duct exploration demonstrated a lower overall risk of complications compared with preoperative ERCP, but there were no differences in the overall risk of complications in the remaining comparisons. However, differences in specific postprocedural complications were detected between the four different approaches managing CBD stones.

CONCLUSION

This network meta-analysis suggests that both laparoscopic CBD exploration and intraoperative ERCP have equally good outcomes and provide a preferable single-anesthesia patient pathway with a shorter overall length of hospital stay compared with the two-stage approaches.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Systematic Review/Meta Analysis; Level III.

Nasobiliary guided laparoscopic cholecystectomy following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the most common management of gallstones combined with common bile duct (CBD) stones. This study aims to evaluate the impact of routine insertion of nasobiliary catheter during ERCP in cases of difficult LC.

PATIENTS & METHODS

From total 110 patients who underwent ERCP followed by LC in the period from April 2019 to April 2020, nasobiliary (NB) catheter was inserted during ERCP in 55 patients after CBD clearance (NB group). In the other 55 patients, only CBD clearance was done (Control group). In the NB group, dynamic trans-nasobiliary intraoperative cholangiography (TN-IOC) was done during dissection of Calot's triangle. At the end of the procedure, trans-nasobiliay methylene blue (MB) test was done to detect any missed biliary injury. The primary outcome to be analyzed was the incidence and severity of bile duct injury (BDI), secondary outcomes were the operative time, conversion to open surgery, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

Of the 110 patients, 57 patients (51.8%) were males and 53 (48.2%) were females. Median age was 55 years. One case of biliary leak was reported in the NB group (1.8%), while 2 cases (3.6%) were reported in the Control group. The average operative time in the NB group was 115 min versus 128 min in the Control group (P value < 0.001). No cases were converted to open cholecystectomy in the NB group (0%) with 5 cases (9.1%) converted to open in the Control group. The average postoperative hospital stay was 2 ± 0.1 days in the NB group versus 3.6 ± 5.3 days in the Control group (P value = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

Routine insertion of nasobiliary tube during ERCP, in patients with combined gallbladder and CBD stones, is a simple, safe and dynamic method for IOC. This maneuver does not statistically decrease the incidence of BDI but can diagnose, minimize and treat BDI with shorter operative time and hospital stay.

A retrospective cohort study on the optimal interval between endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are the most important procedures for patients with choledocholithiasis and gallstones. Many studies recommend early LC after ERCP; however, there is still no consensus on the optimal interval between the two. The purpose of this study was to investigate the appropriate timing of LC after ERCP in patients with choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis. We retrospectively reviewed all ERCPs in our institution from November 2014 to August 2021. All eligible 261 patients were divided into ERCP-LC1 (≤3 days), ERCP-LC2 (3-7 days), and ERCP-LC3 (>7 days). We also reviewed 90 patients with elective LC as the LC group. Procedures, treatment outcomes, and postoperative adverse events were evaluated. In a total of 1642 ERCPs, 261 eligible patients were divided into ERCP-LC1 (n = 102), ERCP-LC2 (n = 113), and ERCP-LC3 (n = 46). The ERCP-LC groups had no difference in operation time, postoperative adverse events, and open conversion rate with the LC group, but the total hospital stay and hospital stay after LC were longer than the LC group. There were no differences between the ERCP-LC groups in operation time, hospital stay after LC, open conversion rate, postoperative adverse events, and efficacy. However, LC within 7 days and even 3 days after ERCP had significant advantages in improvement in total length of stay and medical expenses. Furthermore, we also found an increased risk of gallbladder gangrene and perforation in LC >7 days after ERCP. LC within 7 days and even 3 days after ERCP is a safe, effective, and economical method for patients with choledocholithiasis and gallstones.

Optimal Timing of Cholecystectomy in Secondary Choledocholithiasis Patients Who Underwent Preoperative Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Secondary choledocholithiasis occurs when stones leave the gallbladder. After therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stone removal, cholecystectomy should be performed to prevent recurrence. However, the optimal timing for cholecystectomy in secondary choledocholithiasis patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal timing for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with secondary choledocholithiasis. In total, 22,996 patients in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis from 1998–2015 were divided into three groups according to whether they underwent surgery as an inpatient (early cholecystectomy (ELC)), within 2 months of admission (intermediate cholecystectomy (ILC)), or 2 months after admission (delayed cholecystectomy (DLC)). The primary outcomes included the recurrence, complication, and mortality rates. After adjusting for confounders, according to the 2013 Tokyo guidelines (cut-off at 2013), a subgroup analysis showed that, compared to the ELC group, the ILC group had lower recurrence, complication, and mortality rates, whereas the DLC group exhibited statistically significantly higher recurrence and mortality rates. In conclusion, the optimal timing of cholecystectomy in secondary choledocholithiasis patients after preoperative ERCP is within 2 months (ILC) after hospital admission. Moreover, ELC is associated with a measurable risk of complications.

Destiny for Rendezvous: Is Cholecysto/Choledocholithiasis Better Treated with Dual- or Single-Step Procedures?

Biliary lithiasis is common worldwide, affecting almost 20% of the general population, though few experience symptoms. The frequency of choledocholithiasis in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis is estimated to be 10-33%, depending on patients' age. Unlike gallbladder lithiasis, the medical and surgical treatment of common bile duct stones is uncertain, having changed over the last few years. The prior gold standard treatment for cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis was open cholecystectomy with bile duct clearance, choledochotomy, and/or surgical sphincterotomy. In the last 10-15 years, new treatment approaches to the complex pathology of choledocholithiasis have emerged with the advent of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), laparoscopic surgery, and advanced diagnostic procedures. Although ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred mode of management, a single-step strategy (laparo-endoscopic rendezvous) has gained acceptance due to lesser morbidity and a lower risk of iatrogenic damage. Given the above, a tailored approach relying on careful evaluation of the disease is necessary in order to minimize complication risks and overall costs. Yet, the debate remains open, with no consensus on the superiority of laparo-endoscopic rendezvous to more conventional approaches.

Optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and common bile duct clearance: A prospective observational study

Background:

The treatment of patients with cholelithiasis with common bile duct (CBD) stones is CBD clearance with cholecystectomy. While traditional teachings advocate waiting for 4–6-week post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) with CBD clearance, recent studies favour an early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the optimal timing of LC post-ERCP.

Methods:

We conducted a prospective observational study between March 2017 and October 2018. Patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis and CBS stones on ultrasonography or computed tomography were included. They were assigned to one of two groups (<2 weeks and >2 weeks) based on the time interval between ERCP and subsequent LC. Chi-square test was used to analyse the intraoperative and post-operative outcomes between the two study groups,

Results:

One hundred and forty patients were included in the study of which 69 underwent an early LC (<2 weeks). There was a significant decrease in the blood loss and incidence of bowel injury in the early group. Calots triangle was better defined and critical view of safety was achieved more in the patients who underwent an early LC. This resulted in a significantly lower incidence of drain placement and length of hospital stay in those patients who underwent an early LC.

Conclusion:

A delay of 2 weeks after ERCP makes the LC more difficult and is associated with a longer hospital stay. We advocate LC within 2 weeks of ERCP whenever feasible.

Clinical Impact of Preoperative Relief of Jaundice Following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography on Determining Optimal Timing of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients with Cholangitis

Background: About 10% of patients with gallbladder (GB) stones also have concurrent common bile duct (CBD) stones. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after removal of CBD stones using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the most widely used method for treating coexisting gallbladder and common bile duct stones. We evaluated the optimal timing of LC after ERCP according to clinical factors, focusing on preoperative relief of jaundice. Methods: A total of 281 patients who underwent elective LC after ERCP because of choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis from January 2010 to April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the hospital stay, perioperative morbidity, and rate of surgical conversion to open cholecystectomy according to the relief of jaundice before surgery. These enrolled patients were divided into two groups: relief of jaundice before surgery (group 1, n = 125) or not (group 2, n = 156). Results: The initial total bilirubin level was higher in group 1; however, there were no significant differences in the other baseline characteristics including age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, previous surgical history, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and operative time between the two groups. There was also no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (4.5 ± 3.3 vs. 5.5 ± 5.6 days, p = 0.087). However, after ERCP, the waiting time until LC was significantly longer in group 1 (5.0 ± 4.9 vs. 3.5 ± 2.4 days, p < 0.001). There were no statistical differences in the conversion rate (3.2% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.518) or perioperative morbidity (4.0% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.348), either. Conclusions: LC would not be delayed until the relief of jaundice after ERCP since there were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity or surgical conversion rate to open cholecystectomy. Early LC after ERCP may be feasible and safe in patients with cholangitis and cholecystolithiasis.

Outcomes of same admission cholecystectomy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for common bile duct stones: A post hoc analysis of an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study

BACKGROUND

The optimal timing for cholecystectomy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for common bile duct (CBD) stones is unknown. We hypothesized that a delay between procedures would correlate with more biliary complications and longer hospitalizations.

METHODS

We prospectively identified patients who underwent same admission cholecystectomy after ERCP for CBD stones from 2016 to 2019 at 12 US medical centers. The cohort was stratified by time between ERCP and cholecystectomy: ≤24 hours (immediate), >24 to ≤72 hours (early), and >72 hours (late). Primary outcomes included operative duration, postoperative length of stay, (LOS), and hospital LOS. Secondary outcomes included rates of open conversion, CBD explorations, biliary complications, and in-hospital complications.

RESULTS

For the 349 patients comprising the study cohort, 33.8% (n = 118) were categorized as immediate, 50.4% (n = 176) as early, and 15.8% (n = 55) as late. Rates of CBD explorations were lower in the immediate group compared with the late group (0.9% vs. 9.1%, p = 0.01). Rates of open conversion were lower in the immediate group compared with the early group (0.9% vs. 10.8%, p < 0.01) and in the immediate group compared with the late group (0.9% vs. 10.9%, p < 0.001). On a mixed-model regression analysis, an immediate cholecystectomy was associated with a significant reduction in postoperative LOS (β = 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.96; p = 0.02) and hospital LOS (β = 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-0.75; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

An immediate cholecystectomy following ERCP correlates with a shorter postoperative LOS and hospital LOS. Rates of CBD explorations and conversion to open appear more common after 24 hours.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level III.

Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Identifying patients for a 'COVID-Cold' isolated day-case unit during the pandemic

BACKGROUND

The UK practice of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic due to cancellation of non-urgent operations. Isolated day-case units have been recommended as 'COVID-cold' operating sites to resume surgical procedures. This study aims to identify patients suitable for day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) at isolated units by investigating patient factors and unexpected admission.

METHOD

Retrospective analysis of 327 patients undergoing DCLC between January and December 2018 at Ysbyty Gwynedd (District General Hospital; YG) and Llandudno General Hospital (isolated unit; LLGH), North Wales, UK.

RESULTS

The results showed that 100% of DCLCs in LLGH were successful; 71.4% of elective DCLCs were successful at YG. Increasing age (p = 0.004), BMI (p = 0.01), ASA Score (p = 0.006), previous ERCP (p = 0.05), imaging suggesting cholecystitis (p = 0.003) and thick-walled gallbladder (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with failed DCLC on univariate analysis. Factors retaining significance (OR, 95% CI) after multiple regression include BMI (1.82, 1.05-3.16; p = 0.034), imaging suggesting cholecystitis (4.42, 1.72-11.38; p = 0.002) and previous ERCP (5.25, 1.53-18.00; p = 0.008). Postoperative complications are comparable in BMI <35kg/m² and 35-39.9kg/m².

CONCLUSIONS

Current patient selection for isolated day unit is effective in ensuring safe discharge and could be further developed with greater consideration for patients with BMI 35-39.9kg/m². As surgical services return, this helps identify patients suitable for laparoscopic cholecystectomy at isolated COVID-free day units.

Comparative Analysis of Early versus Late Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreaticography in Cases of Cholelithiasis with Choledocholithiasis

Introduction

A preferred treatment for cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), which can be performed early (within 72 hours) or can be delayed for 6 to 8 weeks. This study is conducted to compare and analyze the outcome of early versus late LC following common bile duct (CBD) clearance by ERCP and determine the optimum timing for performing LC post-ERCP.

Materials and methods

This comparative analysis was conducted at St Joseph Hospital, Ghaziabad, from September 2019 to March 2021 on 89 cases of cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 45) patients underwent early LC within 72 hours post-ERCP and group II (n = 44) patients underwent late LC after an interval of 8 weeks. Various preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative clinical parameters like operative difficulty, complications, surgery duration, hospital stay, and conversion to open cholecystectomy were analyzed.

Results

There was no significant difference in demographic and laboratory findings in both groups. Group I patients had significantly shorter hospital stay and less operative difficulty. The duration of surgery was significantly low in group I. There was no significant difference in rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy.

Conclusion

Early LC post-ERCP is associated with short hospital stay and duration of surgery and less operative difficulty and complications. Therefore, we recommend that LC can be safely performed within 48 to 72 hours after ERCP.

How to cite this article

Goel A, Kothari S, Bansal R. Comparative Analysis of Early versus Late Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreaticography in Cases of Cholelithiasis with Choledocholithiasis. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2021;11(1):11–13.

During which period should we avoid cholecystectomy in patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the period during which we should avoid cholecystectomy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of electronic medical charts of 532 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, between March 2013 and December 2017.

RESULTS

Approximately one-third of patients underwent the procedure between 4 and 30 days after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The conversion rate was 3.8%. The need for abdominal drainage and the finding of biliary tract injury after surgery were observed in 15.1% and 1.9% of patients, respectively. The length of stay was significantly shorter among patients undergoing surgery more than 30 days after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. These patients had a median length of stay of one day, whereas the median length of stay in the group undergoing the procedure between 4 and 30 days after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was 2 days.

CONCLUSION

The period during which we should avoid cholecystectomy is between 4 and 30 days after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

¿Es más difícil la colecistectomía laparoscópica después de una colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica? Experiencia en un hospital de tercer nivel

Introducción. La colecistectomía laparoscópica es el tratamiento estándar para la colecistitis aguda. En pacientes con coledocolitiasis, la colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica es el tratamiento de elección. Se ha reportado que, después de este procedimiento endoscópico, la colecistectomía laparoscópica es más difícil y son mayores las tasas de conversión, hemorragia y tiempo operatorio. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si en nuestro medio las colecistectomías laparoscópicas posteriores a este procedimiento endoscópico presentan más complicaciones posquirúrgicas y mayor dificultad técnica. Métodos. Estudio de cohorte prospectivo, en el que se comparó un grupo de pacientes sometidos a colecistectomía laparoscópica previa colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica, contra un grupo homogéneo de pacientes sin colangiografía previa, para evaluar la dificultad en la colecistectomía laparoscópica, la conversión, la reintervención y las complicaciones. Resultados. El 45,4 % de las cirugías fueron difíciles. No hay relación entre la realización previa de colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica y la dificultad de la colecistectomía laparoscópica. Con el modelo de regresión logística, se encontraron como factores predictores para una cirugía difícil, la edad, el sexo masculino, la cirugía abdominal previa, la colecistitis aguda y la mayor gravedad de la colecistitis aguda.  Conclusión. La colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica en nuestro medio no constituye un factor de riesgo para dificultad en la colecistectomía laparoscópica. Debe prestarse especial cuidado al sexo masculino, la gravedad de la colecistitis aguda, los antecedentes de cirugía abdominal y la presencia de comorbilidades a la hora de planear una colecistectomía laparoscópica, tomando precauciones adicionales en estos casos para prevenir complicaciones.

Optimal Timing for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Systematic Review

Background and Aims:

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy is often used as definitive treatment for common bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal time interval between endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Materials and Methods:

PubMed and Embase were searched for studies comparing different time delays between endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Observational studies and randomized controlled trials were included. Primary outcome was conversion rate from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy and secondary outcomes were complications, mortality, operating time, and length of stay.

Results:

A total of 14 studies with a total of 1930 patients were included. The pooled estimate revealed an increase from a 4.2% conversion rate when laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed within 24 h of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to 7.6% for 24–72 h delay to 12.3% when performed within 2 weeks, to 12.3% for 2–6 weeks, and to a 14% conversion rate when operation was delayed more than 6 weeks.

Conclusion:

According to this systematic review, it is preferable to perform cholecystectomy within 24 h of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to reduce conversion rate. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not increase mortality, perioperative complications, or length of stay and on the contrary it reduces the risk of reoccurrence and progression of disease in the delay between endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.