ENDOSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF POSTCHOLECYSTECTOMY COMPLICATIONS - A SAUDI HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE

Objectives: To review the endoscopic management of postcholecystectomy complication between 1981 - 1993 at the Gastroenterology Department, Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh. Design: A retrospective study of post-c holecystectomy patients who were referred for endoscopic retrograde ch olangtopancreatography (ERCP) either because of persistent new symptom s or obvious complications. Results: Two hundred and fifty-eight ERCP were performed in 223 patients, following open or laparoscopy (lap) ch olecystectomy (210/240) open (8.7%) 13/383 lap (3.4%), Patients presen ted with abdominal pain, cholangitis, jaundiced and/or pancreatitis. E RCP was abnormal in 57.4% of these patients. Retained gall stones (GS) were diagnosed and managed endoscopically in 73 patients (32.7%). Bil iary tract structure was shown in 29 patients (13%) and biliary leak i n 10 patients. In these patients various forms of endoscopic treatment were pet-formed. Conclusion: ERCP is a useful diagnostic and therapeu tic-tool for post-cholecystectomy complications and successful endosco pic management prevents subsequent operations.