Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic common bile duct stone extraction: the experience from a developing country.

Purpose: The optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after endoscopic common bile duct stone extraction remains controversial. The aim of this China-based retrospective study was to investigate the outcomes of patients who underwent early LC after endoscopic procedures.

Methods: The retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent LC after endoscopic common bile duct stone extraction between January 2007 and February 2010. On the basis of intervals between LC and endoscopic procedures, patients were classified into 2 groups: early LC group, including patients receiving LC within 3 days; and delayed LC group, including patients receiving LC after 3 days. Operation time, surgical complications, postoperative hospital stay, and the cost of hospitalization were compared between 2 groups.

Results: There were 92 patients in the early LC group and 115 patients in the delayed LC group. The characteristics and endoscopic procedures of the 2 groups were similar. There were no differences between the 2 groups in operative duration, incidence of surgical complications, restoration of bowel motion, postoperative hospital stay, and LC-related cost. However, total hospital cost of early LC was less than that of delayed LC.

Conclusions: Early LC after endoscopic common bile duct stone extraction in developing countries is feasible and safe. Moreover, it can reduce the total hospital cost effectively. Thus, early LC after endoscopic procedures should be recommended in developing countries.