P-BN18 Cholecystectomy following ERCP: A retrospective audit from a single centre
Abstract Background 15% of the adult population are estimated to have gallstones (GS) and managing GS related disease can represent a significant challenge to surgical and endoscopic services alike. One particular challenge is the management of bile duct calculi (BDC), and treatment can vary according to the unit/institution. NICE has published guidelines (CG188) on the management of GS disease with the recommendation that bile duct clearance and cholecystectomy be offered for symptomatic and asymptomatic BDC. This retrospective audit was performed to determine compliance of a single centre with respect to offering cholecystectomy following ERCP for BDC. Methods A retrospective audit was performed for the year 2018 at a single centre utilising the trust ERCP database. The audit was analysed against NICE guideline CG188 and specifically whether patients treated with ERCP for BDC were then treated with cholecystectomy or had a documented justification as to why cholecystectomy was declined. 2018 was chosen so that at least a 2-year period of follow-up could be analysed. As well as the trust ERCP database, the trust electronic documentation record and paper notes were consulted to determine compliance with the guideline. Results 149 ERCPs were performed on 121 patients at this centre in 2018. Of these, 82 patients were included as 39 had an ERCP for malignant disease or had already had a cholecystectomy. Of those 82, 51 (62%) had an ERCP as an emergency while 31 (38%) had an elective procedure. The median age was 65, 54% being male and 46% female. 45 (55%) had a cholecystectomy following ERCP, 29 as an emergency, and 16 electively. Of those 37 who did not have a cholecystectomy, 20 (54%) had no recorded documentation to justify a decision not to proceed to cholecystectomy. Conclusions GS disease has the potential to cause significant morbidity. If an ERCP has been performed for BDC, NICE recommends that cholecystectomy should be offered to mitigate further GS related complications. Patients may of course decline an operation, or a joint decision made not to pursue operative management due to identified surgical risks. This audit demonstrated that 54% of patients at this institution who did not have a cholecystectomy following ERCP had no documented reason why cholecystectomy was declined. Robust follow-up and documentation measures have since been put in place and a follow-up audit is being performed to monitor improvement.