The efficacy of early scheduled follow-up endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after common bile duct stone removal

Background/Aims: To investigate the efficacy of early scheduled follow-up endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after common bile duct (CBD) stone removal. Methods: Patients who underwent endoscopic CBD stone removal and who had at least one risk factor for stone recurrence were enrolled. Six months after complete clearance of the CBD, patients underwent follow-up ERCP at an ambulatory care center, irrespective of symptoms. Results: The incidence of symptoms and cholangitis at follow-up ERCP was significantly lower in Group A (ERCP at 6 months after stone removal) than that in Group B (ERCP at >6 months) (14.3% vs 71.4%, p=0.00; 9.5% vs 33.3%, p=0.02, respectively). However, the recurrence rates of CBD stones were not different between Groups A and B (33.3% vs 47.6%). When comparing the subgroups, Group AR (stone recurrence in Group A) displayed significantly fewer symptoms and lesser cholangitis and spent fewer days in the hospital than did Group BR (stone recurrence in Group B) (21.4% vs 70%, p=0.02; 14.3% vs 60%, p=0.02; 2.43±1.87 vs 6.10±3.35, p=0.00, respectively). Conclusions: Our data suggest that, irrespective of symptoms, early scheduled follow-up ERCP for patients who are at a high risk of recurrence is effective and safe.