Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Single-stage Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Service

Choledocholithiasis is reported to be present in 15-20% of patients with symptomatic gallstones. The single-stage management consists of performing either laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) or intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at the same time as laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Since the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, surgical practice has significantly been impacted. The pandemic has had ramifications on patient and staff safety, surgical techniques, minimally invasive procedures, theatre workflow, education and training. The investigators analysed a series of LCBDE procedures in our institution pre-, intra- and post-COVID-19 pandemic to assess the feasibility, efficacy and safety of this single-stage treatment approach following the pandemic.