Index versus delayed cholecystectomy in mild gallstone pancreatitis: results of a randomized controlled trial

Delayed cholecystectomy is associated with increased risk of biliary events. The objectives of the study were to confirm the superiority of index cholecystectomy over delayed operation in mild gallstone pancreatitis.

Patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis were randomized into index-or delayed cholecystectomy (IC vs. DC). IC was performed within 48 h from randomization provided a stable or improved clinical condition. The primary outcome was gallstone-related events. Secondary outcomes were rates of cholecystectomy complications, common bile duct stones (CBDS) detected at cholecystectomy and patient reported quality-of-life and pain.

Sixty-six patients were randomized into IC (n = 32) or DC (n = 34) between May 2009 and July 2017. There were significantly higher rates of gallstone-related events in the DC compared with the IC group (nine patients vs. one patient, p = 0.013). No statistically significant differences could be demonstrated in cholecystectomy complications (p = 0.605) and CBDS discovered during cholecystectomy (p = 0.302) between the groups. Pain and emotional well-being measured by SF-36 were improved significantly in the IC group at follow-up.

Delayed cholecystectomy in mild gallstone pancreatitis can no longer be recommended since it is associated with an increased risk for recurrent gallstone-related events and impaired patient's reported outcomes.

clinicaltrials.gov (ID: NCT02630433).