Predicting the degree of difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography- Subgroup analysis does not improve the prediction

Dear Sir, In our practice, we have observed a higher conversion rate (8%) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Indication for ERCP (cholangitis, obstructive jaundice [OJ] and incidental common bile duct [CBD] stone), timing and components of ERCP, co-existing gallstone pathologies (AC and pancreatitis), peak white blood cell (WBC) count and peak C-reactive protein (CRP) during index admission were studied. A study of 157 patients by Cinar et al. also reported that ERCP timing, stone retrieval and CBD stent did not affect conversion.