[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the context of cholecystectomy under celioscopy]

This descriptive cohort study documents the results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) in the perioperative period of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Of 630 consecutive patients undergoing LC, 83 (13.2%) sustained 96 ERCP, of which 65 were performed preoperatively (67.7%) and 31 postoperatively (32.3%). The common bile duct cannulation rate was 96.9% after the first attempt and 100% after the second in three patients. Common duct stones were found in 40 patients (6.3%) and three other anomalies were demonstrated ES was performed in 42 patients and 100% clearance of the common bile duct was achieved after 45 extraction procedures. Six patients (1%) were found at follow-up with unsuspected common duct stones and were all successfully treated with ES. At present time, the morbidity of ERCP and ES (7.2% and 11.9%) make them worthwhile adjuncts to perative cholangiography for the diagnosis and treatment of common bile duct stones found during the perioperative period of LC.