Assessment of indicators for predicting choledocholithiasis before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The objective of this report was to study the sensitivity of indicators used for predicting bile duct stones and their endoscopic removal before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A retrospective study was conducted on 104 patients who successfully underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) before laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Riyadh Medical Complex between 1992 and 1994 (1412H-1414H). Six indicatorsâjaundice, biliary pancreatitis, stones in bile duct on sonography, dilated bile duct (>7 mm) on ultrasonography, dilated bile duct with deranged liver function test, and deranged liver function test without jaundiceâwere used for suspecting choledocholithiasis and endoscopic removal before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Ultrasound correctly predicted bile duct stone in 75%, followed by dilated bile duct with deranged liver function test (46%). Clinical jaundice and biliary pancreatitis were equally sensitive indicators (42% each). Sensitivity of only dilated bile duct on ultrasonography in predicting duct stone was 36%. Deranged liver function without jaundice was the least sensitive (22%) of the predictors. Overall, these indicators correctly diagnosed bile duct stones in 34% of patients.

Until laparoscopic exploration of bile duct or a noninvasive technique, such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram (MRCP), is widely available, these predictors will help in selecting patients with bile duct stones for preoperative removal. Other workers have suggested combining these indicators to improve the predictive value.