Early intervention of acute pancreatitis accompanying choledocholithiasis by laparoscopic choledochotomy and choledochoscopy

Objective To explore the feasibility and validity of laparoscopic choledochotomy and choledochoscopy for treament of patients with acute pancreatitis accompanying commom bile duct stones. Methods A total of 102 patients acute pancreatitis accompanying common bile duct gall stones were treated in our institution between January 2007 and November 2009. Among them, 43 patients underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy and choledochoscopy within 72h after admission entered our study group. They all had a laparscopic cholecystectomy and choleldochotomy and choledochoscopy to retrieve common bile duct stones. Of these, 13 patients undergoing pancreatic capsule incision and peritoneal lavage. Fifty-nine patients undergoing traditional conservative treatment firstly were used as a control group. Of these, 46 were performed laparscopic surgery and choledochotomy after smoothly recovery from pancreatitis. 13 underwent emergency open operation due to complications of pancreatitis. Results In the gastrointestinal function recovery time, amylase recovery time, length of stay and hospitalization cost, there was a significant difference between study group and the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Our study provides evidence for the good clinical efficacy of early implementation of laparoscopic choledochotomy and choledochoscope for treatment of choledocholithiasis and acute pancreatitis. Key words: Acute pancreatitis; Laparoscopy; Choledochoscopy; Common bile duct gall stones