Abstract
Background: The role of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in gallstone pancreatitis is unclear. Therefore, we designed a study to establish whether ERCP is indicated in these cases.
Method: We studied 55 patients who had been admitted with gallstone pancreatitis. All of them had mild pancreatitis (Ranson's criteria <3). ERCP was carried out within 4 days of admission, once the liver function tests and serum amylase had returned to normal levels.
Results: ERCP did not demonstrate common bile duct stones in any of the patients. All patients then underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the same admission.
Conclusion: Preoperative ERCP is not indicated for patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis.
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Received: 9 June 1998/Accepted: 7 March 1999
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Himal, H. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not necessary in mild gallstone pancreatitis. Surg Endosc 13, 782–783 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649901098
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004649901098