Identification of risk factors for an unfavorable laparoscopic cholecystectomy course after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the treatment of choledocholithiasis

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) has higher rates for complications and conversion caused by unpredictable adhesions. The risk factors for an adverse outcome of LC after an ERC were analyzed.

Variables from patients treated by LC after ERC for cholelithiasis in two clinics from 1996 to 2003 were retrospectively stored in a database. Complications and conversions were recorded.

A total of 140 patients underwent LC after ERC (83 from clinic A and 57 from clinic B), 31% (44/140) of whom were men. Peri- or postoperative complications occurred for 28 patients (20%). For 19 patients (14%), a conversion was necessary. Significant variables associated with complications and conversions were an elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP) at the time of LC (odds ratio [OR], 10.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–91, P = 0.037 for both) and severe adhesions during laparoscopy (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.5–8.6; P = 0.003 and OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.9–14.4; P = 0.002, respectively). Male gender (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1–7.6; P = 0.037) and serum bilirubin level at the time of ERC (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.24–11; P = 0.014) were associated with conversion only. Time after ERC (LC within 1 week vs. >1 week or ≤2 weeks vs. 2–6 weeks vs. >6 weeks or ≤6 weeks vs. >6 weeks) was not associated with complications or conversion. Multivariate regression analysis showed a pre-LC CRP exceeding 6 to be predictive of complications (OR, 10.5; 95% CI, 1.1–95; P = 0.040) and conversion (OR, 10.6; 95% CI, 1.1–99; P = 0.034).

Male gender, bilirubin levels during ERC, severe adhesions during LC, and pre-LC CRP levels were associated with an adverse outcome for an LC after endoscopic cholangiography. The time between LC and ERC failed to be a significant risk factor in this larger series.