Risk factors for the late development of common bile duct stones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The development of common bile duct (CBD) stones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) could be a stressful event for surgeons and patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for and the time of occurrence of CBD stones, which are detected at a certain period after LC in patients who have no history of having CBD stone before operation.

A total of 1938 patients who underwent LC for benign gallbladder lesion were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were categorized into two groups according to the development of CBD stones at least 6 months after LC (case group, control group). The risk factors for and the time of development of CBD stones after LC were evaluated.

In a univariate analysis, the significant factors for the development of CBD stones were old age, acute cholecystitis, the presence of periampullary diverticulum, and the presence of gall bladder stones sized <0.55 cm. By multivariate analysis, acute cholecystitis (OR: 3.082, 95% CI: 1.306-7.272, p = 0.010), the presence of periampullary diverticulum (OR: 7.950, 95% CI: 3.425-18.457, p < 0.001), and the presence of gall bladder stones sized < 0.55 cm (OR: 5.647, 95% CI: 1.310-24.346, p = 0.020) were independent factors that could predict the development of CBD stones at least 6 months after LC. The time intervals of the development of CBD stones had evenly distributed during 50 months after LC.

This study suggested that the surgeon should inform the possibility of the development of CBD stones who have the identified risk factors.