Comparing Stone Recurrence Following Surgical Common Bile Duct Exploration or Endoscopic Stone Extraction for Patients with Common Bile Duct Stones

Background: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are two methods of retrieving common bile duct (CBD) stones. Aspects of CBD stone management, such as sphincterotomy, have been implicated as risks for CBD stone recurrence although evidence is weak. The aim of this study was to compare stone recurrence following LCBDE and/or ERCP.Methods: Data were collected retrospectively for patients undergoing LCBDE and/or ERCP for CBD stones at a single center from 2008 to 2018. Primary outcome was stone recurrence (>6 months after duct clearance). Risk factors for recurrence were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.Results: A total of 445 patients underwent LCBDE-only, 79 patients underwent ERCP-only and 80 patients underwent LCBDE-ERCP. LCBDE-only patients were younger and preoperatively less morbid than ERCP-only patients. Although there was no significant difference for recurrence, there was a trend toward higher recurrence with ERCP-only compared with LCBDE-only and LCBDE-ERCP (5.1% versus 2.0% and 2.5%, P = .280). On univariate comparison, patients with a recurrence were significantly older, had a higher admission white cell count, higher number of ERCPs, increased transampullary stent use, and higher maximum CBD diameter. Total number of ERCP was the only independent predictor of stone recurrence (odds ratio 6.85 [2.55-18.42], P < .001) following multivariate regression.Conclusion: Management plan was not associated with stone recurrence. The total number of ERCP was the only independent predictor of recurrence. Within the limitations of case selection and bias toward LCBDE, this study suggests that limiting repeated ERCP may reduce CBD stone recurrence.