Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration following prior gastrectomy: surgical safety and feasibility

Previous gastrectomy (PG) can lead to an increased incidence of biliary stones. However, the success rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after gastrectomy remains low. In such cases, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) may be an alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LCBDE for patients who underwent PG.

A retrospective analysis of patients with a history of LCBDE was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups according to their PG status, and their perioperative data were compared.

The outcomes of 27 patients with a history of gastrectomy were compared with those of 155 without a history of gastrectomy who underwent LCBDE. PG patients experienced longer hospitalization times (P = 0.006), more postoperative bleeding (p = 0.021), a lower incidence of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (P < 0.001), and a higher incidence of T-tube application (p = 0.002) than those without gastrectomy. However, there were no significant differences in estimated blood loss volume, operation time, bile leakage status, pancreatitis status, stone clearance rate, readmission rate, or recurrence rate.

Although LCBDE following gastrectomy may require laborious perioperative management, a history of gastrectomy might not influence the feasibility or safety of LCBDE, as its perioperative outcomes are comparable to those in patients without a history of gastrectomy.