胆囊结石伴急性胆源性胰腺炎的腹腔镜胆囊切除术

目的探讨胆囊结石伴急性胆源性胰腺炎(acute biliary pancreatitis,ABP)实施腹腔镜胆囊切除术(laparoscopiccholecystectomy,LC)的可行性及手术时机。方法1999年1月~2007年8月,行LC治疗72例胆囊结石伴ABP。56例经非手术治疗胰腺炎缓解后早期(≤2周)行LC,8例延期(1~3个月)行LC,8例非手术治疗效果不佳而急诊行LC。结果72例LC均获成功。手术时间30~135min,平均63min。术中出血量20~230ml,平均50ml。术中胆道造影5例,均成功。造影发现4例胆总管下段结石,术后行逆行性胰胆管造影(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography,ERCP)联合内镜下十二指肠括约肌切开术(endoscopic sphincterotomy,EST)取石成功。中转开腹1例,无围手术期死亡,无术后出血及胆漏并发症。2例术后4d急性胰腺炎复发,保守治愈。72例随访2个月~8年,平均19个月,无胰腺炎、胆总管结石复发。结论对胆囊结石伴急性胆源性胰腺炎患者,如能慎重选择病例,做好必要的围手术处理,早期实...     

急性胆源性胰腺炎复发的预防方法

目的探讨急性胆源性胰腺炎复发的预防方法。方法回顾性分析1999年1月-2001年7月我院治愈的急性胆源性胰腺炎112例的临床资料。所有患者入院前均无胆源性胰腺炎病史且未行胆囊切除术。根据是否行内镜下Oddi括约肌切开术（endoscopic sphincterotomy，EST）、胆囊切除术，将112例分为保守组45例、EST组22例、胆囊切除组29例、EST联合胆囊切除组16例。比较各组胆源性胰腺炎复发率。结果112例随访16—30个月，平均18．5月。保守组12例胰腺炎复发，复发率为26．7％（12／45）；EST组、EST联合胆囊切除组均无胰腺炎复发；胆囊切除组2例胰腺炎复发，复发率为6．9％（2／29）。与保守治疗组比较，EST、胆囊切除能显著降低胆源性胰腺炎复发率。胆囊切除术后复发的2例行内镜逆行胰胆管造影（endoscopic retrograde cholanginpancreatography，ERCP），均发现有胆总管小结石。结论胆总管结石是胆囊切除术后胰腺炎复发的主要原因。EST、胆囊切除术均能有效预防胆源性胰腺炎复发；EST具有创伤小、恢复快等优点，适合于高龄、一般情况差、不能耐受手术的患者。     

急性胆源性胰腺炎的微创治疗

目的探讨胆源性胰腺炎的微创治疗方法及效果。方法2001年10月～2005年10月，我院对89例急性胆源性胰腺炎先用磁共振胰胆管造影（magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography，MRCP）明确胆总管有无结石梗阻，再用十二指肠镜及腹腔镜进行序贯治疗。结果51例胆总管下段结石行十二指肠镜治疗，46例取石成功，5例因结石无法取出而行鼻胆管引流（endoscopic nasobiliary drainage，ENBD）。38例未发现胆总管结石，待胰腺炎症状缓解、血尿淀粉酶正常或接近正常后行腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy，LC）。2例因腹痛及感染症状未缓解行开腹手术。87例行LC，4例中转开腹，83例成功，其中5例LC联合腹腔镜胆总管切开取石术。89例随访0．3～3年，平均1．9年，无远期并发症及胰腺炎复发。结论先采用MRCP明确结石位置，再用十二指肠镜取出胆管下端嵌顿结石，最后采用腹腔镜切除胆囊及取出胆总管内结石的序贯方法，治疗急性胆源性胰腺炎安全、有效、微创、可行。     

十二指肠镜联合腹腔镜治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石

目的:探讨内镜十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术(endoscopic sphincterotomy,EST)或内镜十二指肠乳头球囊扩张术(endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation,EPBD)联合腹腔镜胆囊切除术(laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC)同期治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的可行性。方法:2014年1月至2015年12月为75例胆总管结石合并胆囊结石患者行EST或EPBD取石成功后改全麻下行三孔法LC。结果:71例成功施行EST或EPBD联合LC同期手术,成功率94.7%。2例患者EST成功后因胆囊与周围组织形成致密粘连中转开腹行胆囊切除术;2例患者EST取石未成功改LC+胆总管切开胆道镜取石T管引流术。术后2例患者出现急性胰腺炎,2例患者出现十二指肠乳头出血,均经保守治疗后痊愈;2例患者术后鼻胆管造影发现残余结石,经二次取石后痊愈出院。术后平均随访(13.25±3.45)个月,行腹部彩超及肝功能检查未见明显异常。结论:在严格把握手术指征的基础上,EST或EPBD联合LC同期治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石可显著减少患者住院次数、缩短住院时间、降低住院费用,是安全、可行的。     

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目的：探讨应用腹腔镜技术治疗急性胆源性胰腺炎的可行性、有效性和手术方法。方法：1996～2002年收治急性胆源性胰腺炎39例，对20例有急性胆道梗阻者，行急诊或早期腹腔镜胆囊切除术．胆总管切开取石T管引流、小网膜囊腔胰腺区清创引流，术后予腹腔灌洗。对19例无胆道梗阻或经36h保守治疗胆道梗阻缓解者，待胰腺炎缓解后行延期腹腔镜确定性胆道手术。结果：急诊或早期手术的20例，18例胆总管结石取石顺利，2例探查阴性。延期手术19例，腹腔镜手术均予术中胆道造影。5例合并胆总管结石者行腹腔镜胆总管切开取石T管引流。14例胆囊结石行腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)。39例均治愈。结论：腹腔镜手术治疗急性胆源性胰腺炎，体现了微创手术的优点，可在一定程度上替代外科剖腹手术治疗。     

胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的微创治疗进展

正研究显示,10%~20%的胆囊结石患者同时合并胆总管结石~([1-2]),可诱发急性胆源性胰腺炎、黄疸、急性化脓性胆管炎等并发症,严重者危及生命。胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的微创治疗方式主要包括两大类:腹腔镜胆囊切除术(laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC)+术前、术中或术后行经内镜逆行胆胰管造影(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogra-phy,ERCP)胆总管取石术,LC+胆总管探查取石术     

ERCP、EST联合LC治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的临床分析

目的:探讨内镜逆行胰胆管造影(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography,ERCP)、内镜十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术(endoscopic sphincterotomy,EST)联合腹腔镜胆囊切除术(laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC)治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的临床疗效。方法:回顾分析2009年7月至2013年7月为145例胆囊结石合并胆总管结石患者行ERCP+EST+LC/腹腔镜胆总管探查术的临床资料,其中138例LC术前发现合并胆总管结石,先行ERCP+EST,根据EST术后并发症治愈情况再行LC;LC术后发现胆总管残余结石7例,于LC术后1周行ERCP+EST治疗。结果:术前发现合并胆总管结石的138例患者中,129例LC术前取石成功,胆总管结石完全排出,成功率93.5%,ERCP+EST术后出现胰腺炎或高淀粉酶血症11例,胆管炎1例,消化道出血1例,治疗痊愈后行LC。另有9例ERCP插管不成功后行开腹胆囊切除+胆总管探查T管引流术。LC术后发现胆总管残余结石7例,ERCP+EST取石均成功,无并发症发生。结论:ERCP+EST联合LC治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石具有创伤小、效果好、并发症少、康复快等优点,扩大了LC的指征,符合外科手术微创化的趋势,可在临床推广应用。     

急性胆源性胰腺炎的微创治疗和手术时机

目的探讨胆源性胰腺炎的微创治疗方法、效果及手术时机。方法回顾分析我院2004年6月～2007年6月58例急性胆源性胰腺炎的临床资料,术前磁共振胰胆管成像（magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography,MRCP）明确胆总管有无结石梗阻,再用十二指肠镜或腹腔镜或两镜联合进行序贯治疗。结果20例胆总管下段结石行十二指肠镜治疗,其中18例取石成功,2例因结石无法取出而行鼻胆管引流（endoscopic nasobiliary drainage,ENBD）;10例2～3周行腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）,2例3～4周行LC联合腹腔镜胆总管切开取石术。38例胆囊结石未发现胆总管结石,经保守治疗血尿淀粉酶正常或接近正常,1～2周后行LC。50例腹腔镜手术无中转开腹。58例随访0.5～3年,平均2.1年,无远期并发症及胰腺炎复发。结论先采用MRCP明确结石位置;非梗阻型,保守治疗1～2周后行LC;梗阻型48h内用十二指肠镜取出胆管下端嵌顿结石或ENBD治疗,3～4周后采用LC及取出胆总管内结石的序贯方法,治疗急性胆源性胰腺炎安全、有效、微创、可行。     

腹腔镜联合十二指肠镜治疗肝外胆管结石

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）联合十二指肠镜乳头括约肌切开术（endoscopic sphincterotomy,EST）治疗肝外胆管结石的临床价值。方法回顾性分析2006年11月～2008年11月我院60例胆囊结石合并胆总管结石行LC联合EST手术治疗的临床资料。均先行内镜逆行胰胆管造影（endoscopic retrogradec holangiopancreatography,ERCP）,其中2例由于ERCP提示胆总管下段严重狭窄而采用开放手术治疗。其余58例经EST取净结石放置鼻胆管引流（ENBD）,肝功能、血淀粉酶正常后行LC治疗。结果ERCP时2例胆总管下段严重狭窄,开腹行胆总管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合。其余58例EST取石成功并放置ENBD,其中2例继发轻型胰腺炎,保守治疗1周后血淀粉酶恢复正常。58例成功实施ERCP＋EST＋ENBD及LC,成功率96.7%（58/60）。无十二指肠漏、十二指肠乳头切开处出血、急性胆管炎和胆漏等并发症。55例随访6～24个月,平均13个月,未见胆管结石残留,无胰腺炎和胆管炎发生。结论ERCP＋EST后行LC手术是治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的有效方法,有很高的临床应用价值,扩大了胆道微创治疗的范围。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中联合内镜乳头肌切开胆总管探查取石的应用

腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）已成为胆囊良性疾病手术的“金标准”,对于胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的术式一直有争议。通过内镜逆行胰胆管造影（endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography,ERCP）,乳头肌切开（endoscopic sphincterotomy,EST）治疗胆总管结石已有很多报道,通常于LC术前或术后进行,但仍为两次手术完成。我院2008年2月-2009年3月在LC术中联合应用EST进行胆总管探查取石7例,均为一次手术完成,术后随访4～14个月,胆总管无结石残留和复发。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术前选择性ERC的应用

目的　探索ERC LC对有症状胆囊结石和疑有胆管结石得治疗结果的选择性标准的研究。方法　回顾分析 2 0 0 1年 11月～ 2 0 0 3年 10月我科收治的胆石症患者中 2 0例先行ERC再行LC的情况。结果　本组病人ERC均获成功 ,ERCP EST ESE共取出结石 15例 ,B超等证实者 10例 ,胆总管直径 >8mm 12例 ,有黄疸史者 11例 ,肝功能异常者 11例 ,胰腺炎者 4例。ERC后平均 4 .6d行LC。随访 2月～ 2年未发现胆管残余结石。结论　严格掌握LC前行ERC适应症 ,对于减少不必要ERC率 ,避免LC后胆管残留结石都具有重要作用。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术时胆囊管嵌顿结石的处理

目的　总结腹腔胆囊切除术 (LC)时处理胆囊管结石嵌顿的经验。　方法　 1997年 7月～ 2 0 0 1年 6月 ,5 8例胆囊管结石嵌顿。先行胆囊管切开取石而后术中胆道造影 ,如发现胆总管结石则联合内镜切石或中转开腹。　结果　 5 8例均取石成功。 5 1例行单纯LC。术中胆道造影示胆总管结石 7例 ,5例行LC术中联合内镜下括约肌切开取石 ,2例中转开腹行胆总管切开取石联合T管引流。无严重并发症发生。　结论　几乎所有胆囊管结石嵌顿都可用胆囊管切开取石的方法完成LC ,并结合术中胆道造影 ,如发现胆总管结石可联合内镜括约肌切开取石。     

术中经鼻胆管胆道造影在两镜联合治疗胆囊合并胆总管结石中的应用

目的探讨内镜下十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术（endoscopic sphineterotomy，EST）联合腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy，LC）治疗胆囊合并胆总管结石术中经鼻胆引流管（endoscopic nasobiliary drainage，ENBD）胆道造影的价值。方法EST处理胆总管结石并放置ENBD管，在LC术中经ENBD管行胆道造影。结果46例术中经ENBD胆道造影均成功，造影时间5—15min，平均8．2min。术中经ENBD管胆道造影发现胆囊脱落至胆总管形成胆总管继发结石4例，其中2例术中再次内镜取出结石，2例结石直径〈3mm术中未处理，术后随访未见胆管结石及胆管炎发生。43例随访6—36个月，平均22个月，未发现胆总管再发结石及胆道逆行感染。结论两镜联合治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石，术中经ENBD胆道造影可及时发现并通过术中内镜及时处理继发性胆总管结石，减少术后胆管残余结石的发生。     

急性胆囊炎腹腔镜胆囊切除术93例体会

目的总结腹腔镜下处理急性胆囊炎的临床经验。方法回顾性分析2003年5月-2005年5月93例急性胆囊炎行腹腔镜手术治疗的临床资料，其中15例术前确诊胆总管结石而先行内镜逆行胰胆管造影（endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography，ERCP）联合内镜括约肌切开（endoscopic sphincterotomy，EST）取石，6例疑似胆道结石者行术中胆道造影。均于48h内完成LC。结果91例（97．8％）手术成功，2例（2．2％）中转开腹。手术时间35—160min，平均65min。术后胆囊管残端漏3例（3．2％），胆道残余结石3例（3．2％），经开腹手术结合ERCP、EST、鼻胆管引流（endoscopic nasobiliary drainage，ENBD）治愈，全组无医源性损伤。结论选择性应用ERCP和EST，腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗急性胆囊炎是安全可行的，但中转开腹及并发症的发生率高。     

Preoperative Endoscopic Sphincterotomy and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for the Management of Cholecystocholedocholithiasis: 10-Year Experience

Abstract No procedure has yet been identified as the “gold standard” for the detection and treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This prospective study involves 2137 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The algorithm for diagnostic management in place until July 1997 involved routine intravenous cholangiography and selective endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). Subsequently, assessment of the bile duct was not routinely performed, but a scoring system was applied to single out those patients at risk of CBDS who should undergo intravenous cholangiography and/or ERC (see Fig. 2). Whenever bile duct stones were found, endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was performed, and LC was performed with a standardized four-cannula technique after endoscopic bile duct stone clearance. Common bile duct stones were suspected in 340 patients who were referred for preoperative ERC; 250 patients were referred for ES; 21 patients were referred for open surgery because of failure of ERC or sphincterotomy. Common bile duct stones, detected in 283 cases (13.2%), were removed before surgery in 250 cases (88.3%) and during surgery in 28 cases (9.9%). Self-limited pancreatitis occurred in 4.2% of the patients after sphincterotomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 98.4% of the cases. The conversion rate was 8.3% if sphincterotomy had been performed previously and 3.4% after standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p < 0.001). The morbidity rate was 4.5%; mortality, 0.09%. During follow-up five patients (0.2%) had retained stones endoscopically treated. Future trials of novel strategies for detecting and treating CBDS should compare the results of novel strategies with those of the strategy employed in this study, which includes selective ERC, preoperative ES, and LC.     

Use of the laparoscopic–endoscopic approach, the so-called “rendezvous” technique, in cholecystocholedocholithiasis

Background Several studies have shown the efficacy and effectiveness of the combined endoscopic–laparoscopic “rendezvous” technique for treatment of gallbladder and bile duct stones without complications, particularly pancreatitis. The so-called rendezvous technique consists of laparoscopic cholecystectomy standards with intraoperative cholangiography followed by endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). The sphincterotome is driven across the papilla through a guidewire inserted by the transcystic route. This method allows easier and faster cannulation, thus avoiding papillary edema and pancreatic trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether this method is effective in eliminating ductal stones and to verify whether the risk of postprocedure pancreatitis is diminished. Methods From January 2002 to September 2004, we enrolled 256 patients with cholecystocholedolithiasis detected by transabdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. One hundred and twenty of these had one or more patient-related risk factors for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, so they were randomized into two groups of 60 patients. In group A, the patients were treated in a single step with videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy, intraoperative cholangiography, and EST during the surgical procedure with the rendezvous technique. In group B, preoperative ERCP and EST were performed by using a traditional method of bile duct cannulation. Results No cases of post-ERCP pancreatitis were observed in group A, whereas six cases of acute post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in group B (five mild and one moderate) (p = 0.0274). No procedure-related mortality was recorded. Conclusion In cholecysthocholedocholithiasis, the combined laparoscopic–endoscopic approach prevents post-ERCP pancreatitis in cases with patient-related risk factors for this complication.     

Selective cholangiography. Current role in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The initial 22-month experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 400 patients employing an algorithm of selective cholangiographic evaluation is reported. Preoperative or postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed whenever stones were suspected clinically. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed in 44 patients (11%), in whom 14 (3.5%) had an endoscopic sphincterotomy with extraction of common bile duct stones. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed in only eight patients (2%) almost exclusively to acquire experience with the technique, and all cholangiograms were normal. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully completed in 96% of the patients. There were no deaths in this series, and major complications occurred in only 5% of patients. Two patients (0.5%) had a significant common bile duct injury that was recognized and successfully repaired at the initial operation. No late common bile duct strictures have been recognized. Six patients (1.5%) underwent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for suspected common bile duct stones, with three patients requiring endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction. This experience suggests that the use of preoperative and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography can be based on clinical presentation and laboratory evaluation and does not need to be performed routinely. Routine intraoperative cholangiography is not necessary in most patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The authors conclude that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely with the selective use of cholangiography.     

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in conjunction with laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Summary Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the primary surgical treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis. In conjunction with the dramatic rise in LC there has been an increase in the number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) performed. For this study, the records of patients referred to the surgical endoscopy department between January 1991 and February 1992 were reviewed. Seventy-seven ERCPs were performed in conjunction with LC. The indications for ERCP included jaundice or a history of jaundice, gallstone pancreatitis, a suspicious filling defect on either ultrasound or intraoperative cholangiogram, abnormal liver function tests, cholangitis, or postoperative bile leak. Sixty-two procedures were performed prior to LC and 15 procedures after LC. Forty-two patients were female (54.5%) and the patients ages ranged from 14 to 92 years (mean 54.1 years). Of the 62 patients having ERCP preoperatively 35 patients (56.5%) had no evidence of common bile duct (CBD) stones and underwent LC as planned. Twenty-three patients were found to have CBD stones, of which six were referred for an open cholecystectomy and CBD exploration, because of large multiple CBD stones or the presence of a large duodenal diverticulum. Seventeen patients had their CBD cleared endoscopically, and four patients were not successfully cannulated.Fifteen patients had ERCP after LC. There were two patients with CBD injuries who were referred for surgical correction. Two patients had leakage from the cystic duct stump, and four patients had CBD stones, all of whom were successfully treated with endoscopic sphincterotomy. There were four patients who had a normal postoperative ERCP and two patients who could not have their CBD cannulated.There were no mortalities, but there were four cases of complications. Two patients had bleeding after stone extractions, and they required blood transfusions. One patient developed cholangitis from stenosis of the papilla after an endoscopic sphincterotomy, and one patient developed pancreatitis which resolved with conservative treatment. There is an increasing role for ERCP and sphincterotomy in patients undergoing LC. ERCP carries an inherent morbidity and therefore routine ERCP is not justified. However, with the proper suspicion of CBD stones a preoperative ERCP is indicated prior to a planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Five-year Prospective Audit of Routine Intravenous Cholangiography and Selective Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography with or without Intraoperative Cholangiography in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Consensus has never been reached regarding the need or the imaging technique for evaluating the common bile duct (CBD) in patients considered for cholecystectomy. With the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy there has been a resurgence of interest in the role of preoperative intravenous cholangiography (IVC) as an alternative for evaluating the CBD. The purpose of this audit was to assess whether a diagnostic workup based on IVC, which permits selective use of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) and endoscopic treatment of CBD stones before surgery, could be useful in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). In patients without jaundice, gallstone pancreatitis, a prior diagnosis of CBD stones, a prior history of contrast allergy, or a risk of contrast-associated acute renal failure, IVC was performed routinely. Patients suspected to have CBD stones based on IVC results or with inconclusive IVC and patients with a strong clinical suspicion of CBD stones were referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). IOC was carried out in patients who had a history of contrast allergy or risk of contrast-associated acute renal failure and whenever the surgeon was in doubt as to the biliary anatomy or CBD clearance. IVC was carried out in 1155 patients, ERC in 225, and IOC in 54. IVC was conclusive in 1132 patients, with a diagnostic accuracy of 99%. Our workup permitted the sequential endoscopic-laparoscopic treatment of cholecystocholedocholithiasis in 162 cases. During the follow-up period residual CBD stones were detected in four patients. Our diagnostic workup showed that routine IVC exposes the population to a large radiation burden, and the cost is high for the small number of patients who benefit. Moreover, it does not seem helpful in reducing the incidence of CBD injuries during LC.     

Preoperative selective endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy without cholangiography

The aim of this study was to show that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely without routine intraoperative cholangiography. We performed a retrospective analysis of 1750 consecutive patients (1170 females and 580 males with a mean age of 51 years) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 1991 and January 2000. In all, 193 patients (11%) were selected to undergo preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on the basis of several criteria for risk of stones. No patients underwent intraoperative cholangiography. ERCP allowed us to make a diagnosis of biliary stones in 62.7% (121 cases). Extraction of the stones was successful in 96% of the cases. In 12% of cases ERCP findings were normal; in the remaining 26.3%, useful diagnostic information was obtained. There were three complications (bleeding and pancreatitis) after endoscopy (complication rate: 1.5%). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successful in 92.7% of patients, with a postoperative morbidity rate of 3% (0.5% of major complications). There were no deaths in this series. During a mean follow-up of 60 months (range, 12-120), 7 patients (0.43%) were found to have residual biliary stones (5 had not had preoperative ERCP). The study confirms the hypothesis that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed without routine intraoperative cholangiography, with selective use of preoperative ERCP.