Endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones without subsequent cholecystectomy.

Good results from endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for removing choledochal stones following cholecystectomy, have led to increasing use of the method when the gallbladder is in situ. The need for cholecystectomy after successful EST has been questioned. As cholecystectomy in elderly patients involves substantial risk, we routinely defer cholecystectomy in such patients while they remain asymptomatic. Experience of 40 cases is reported. Thirty-four were discharged without cholecystectomy and one underwent elective cholecystectomy at his own request. The remaining 33 patients were followed up for 6-53 (mean 21.5) months. Four died from causes unrelated to gallstone disease. Symptoms requiring cholecystectomy arose in two cases (6%). We found no problems due to refraining from routine elective cholecystectomy following EST for common bile duct stones. The rarity of later symptoms appears to justify a "wait and see" attitude to post-EST cholecystectomy.