Registry-Scale Confirmation from Sweden
The GallRiks registry — Sweden’s national database for gallstone surgery and ERCP — provides the largest comparison to date of surgeon-placed transcystic stenting. Among 929 patients, those managed with laparoscopic transcystic stenting and planned postoperative ERCP had significantly fewer 30-day complications than those managed with intraoperative rendezvous ERCP (11% vs 19%). Stent insertion added roughly 15 minutes of operative time with minimal morbidity, and subsequent ERCPs were faster. Why were the patients kept in the hospital for an ERCP? Could they have had the procedure electively as an outpatient?
Citation
Johansson S, Runfors C, Sandblom G, et al. Laparoscopic transcystic stenting with postoperative ERCP for the treatment of common bile duct stones: a safe alternative to intraoperative rendezvous ERCP—data from the Swedish registry for gallstone surgery and ERCP (GallRiks). Surg Endosc. 2026;40:3040-3047. doi:10.1007/s00464-026-12565-3
