Abstract

Objective: Gallstone disease is a common condition in Chile and worldwide, often manifesting as cholecystocholedocholithiasis. One of the treatment options is laparoendoscopic rendezvous (RVLE), involving laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreato-graphy (ERCP). This study aims to assess the effectiveness of this technique in managing cholecystocholedocholithiasis at a university hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study spanning four years was conducted on patients diagnosed with cholecystocholedocholithiasis who underwent RVLE. Results: The study included 296 patients, with an average age of 52 years. One-fifth of them were over 70 years old, and 29.3% had significant comorbidities. Of these cases, 65.2% were classified as emergencies, and 12.2% presented with acute cholangitis. The overall success rate of the RVLE procedure was 82.8%. Notably, the presence of gallstones larger than 5 mm was associated with a higher likelihood of procedure failure. The primary reason for failure was the inability of the guidewire to advance into the duodenum (13.5%). Clinically significant morbidity occurred in 9.5% of cases, and the overall mortality rate at 90 days was 0.68%. Discussion: RVLE is an effective treatment for cholecystocholedocholithiasis within a single surgical intervention, even in patients over 70-years-old with comorbidities. However, it is important to note that the procedure is associated with increased morbidity when performed in cases of acute cholangitis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography serves as a valuable diagnostic tool, providing insights into stone size. The most common cause of procedure failure is the inability of the guidewire to pass through, although this issue can often be resolved with a traditional ERCP.