Long-term follow-up of patients with gallbladder in situ after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) was performed on 148 patients with common bile duct stones and intact gallbladder. The duct was cleared in 130 cases (88%). Immediate complications occurred in 23 patients (15.5%), six of whom died. In 118 of the 139 patients discharged from the hospital, the bile ducts were cleared and the gallbladder in situ. The median observation time in these 118 cases was 42 (1-97) months, during which 13 (11%) were cholecystectomized because of symptoms or acute complications due to remaining gallbladder stones, and 49 (42%) died 2-87 (median 24) months after EST. The probability (life-table) of remaining free from cholecystectomy-requiring symptoms or complications was 0.87 after 42 months. There was no association between nonfilling of the gallbladder at ERC and subsequent problems with gallbladder stones. EST for choledocholithiasis with retained gallbladder is justified for elderly and frail patients. Indefinite postponement of cholecystectomy may be warrantable, restricting surgery to patients with symptoms from gallbladder stones. This most frequently means within 2 years after EST.