BACKGROUND/AIMS: We evaluated the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) for large common bile duct (CBD) stone removal compared with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). METHODS: A total of 1,580 patients who underwent endoscopic CBD stone extraction between January 2001 and July 2010 were reviewed. The following inclusion criteria were applied: choledocholithiasis treated by EPLBD with minor EST or EST with mechanical lithotripsy; and follow-up >9 months after treatment. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with EPLBD and 41 with EST were compared. There was no significant difference in the complication rates and stone recurrence rates between the two groups. However, significantly more endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) sessions were required in the EST group to achieve the complete removal of stones (1.7 times vs 1.3 times; p=0.03). The mean cost required for complete stone removal per patient was significantly higher in the EST group compared to the EPLBD group (USD $1,644 vs $1,225, respectively; p=0.04). Dilated CBD was the only significant factor associated with recurrent biliary stones (relative risk, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 1.17; p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: EPLBD is the better treatment (compared to EST) for removing large CBD stones because EPLBD requires fewer ERCP sessions and is less expensive.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis/economics/*surgery ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Dilatation/economics/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/economics/*methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effects of combined endoscopic-laparoscopic technique for one-stage treatment of cholelithiasis with concomitant choledocholithiasis.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 30 patients (Group A) with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis receiving one-stage laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) combined with intraoperative encoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and 32 patients (Group B) receiving LC combined with 1aparoscopic common bile duct exploration. The operative time, blood loss, conversion to open surgery rate, time to postoperative ambulation, calculi residual rate, hospitalization cost and length of hospital stay were analyzed comparatively.

RESULTSThere were statistically differences between the two groups in hospitalization cost and length of hospital stay (P<0.05) but not in the other indices (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCombined endoscopic-laparoscopic techniques can be a safe and feasible option for one-stage treatment of concomitant cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis to allow rapid postoperative recovery with a shortened hospital stay.

Adult ; Aged ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; methods ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; methods ; Choledocholithiasis ; complications ; surgery ; Cholelithiasis ; complications ; surgery ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Length of Stay ; economics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies