Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for biliary pancreatitis.

A prospective study was undertaken to assess the technical difficulty of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute biliary pancreatitis. Patients underwent early endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed after signs of clinical improvement. Five steps were assessed during surgery using a visual analogue score. These patients were compared with a control group undergoing elective surgery for chronic symptomatic gallstones. Of 24 patients aged 28-83 (median 60) years, eight had three or more positive signs according to Ranson's criteria. Twenty-three patients underwent successful ERC; seven had choledocholithiasis and were managed endoscopically. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed 3-24 (median 7) days after admission was successful in 21 of the 24 patients. The mean(s.d.) operative difficulty score was significantly increased in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis compared with that in the 40 controls (5.4(1.8) versus 3.6(1.4), P < 0.002), particularly for dissection of Calot's triangle (6.5(1.5) versus 3.0(1.6), P < 0.001). A dilated cystic duct was present in over 50 per cent of patients and in seven could not be safely closed with a clip; this finding was not predicted by ERC. Biliary pancreatitis is a further indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Early surgery is safe but technical difficulty is increased. Cystic duct dilatation must be anticipated; an externally tied ligature in continuity is recommended.