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PRACTICE
GUIDELINE
This is one of a series of BMJ summaries of new guidelines based on Consider endoscopic ultrasound if magnetic resonance
the best available evidence; they highlight important recommendations cholangiopancreatography does not allow a diagnosis to
for clinical practice, especially where uncertainty or controversy exists.
be made. [Based on moderate to very low quality
observational studies]
Gallstone disease is common10-15% of adults in Western
populations are thought to have the condition.1 2 Concerns about
inappropriate variation in the management of gallstones have Treating asymptomatic gallbladder stones
led to the development of recommendations on the diagnosis Reassure people with asymptomatic gallbladder stones
and management of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and found in a normal gallbladder and normal biliary tree that
choledocholithiasis in an attempt to improve patient outcomes they do not need treatment unless they develop symptoms.
and promote effective use of resources. This article summarises [Based on the experience and opinion of the Guideline
the most recent recommendations on the management of Development Group (GDG)]
gallstone disease from the National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence (NICE).3
Treating symptomatic gallbladder stones and
Recommendations symptomatic or asymptomatic common bile
NICE recommendations are based on systematic reviews of best
duct stones
available evidence and explicit consideration of cost Offer laparoscopic cholecystectomy to people diagnosed
effectiveness. When minimal evidence is available, with symptomatic gallbladder stones. [Based on moderate
recommendations are based on the Guideline Development to low quality randomised controlled trials and an original
Groups experience and opinion of what constitutes good health economic model]
practice. Evidence levels for the recommendations are given in Offer bile duct clearance and laparoscopic cholecystectomy
italic in square brackets. to people with symptomatic or asymptomatic common bile
duct stones. [Based on moderate quality randomised
Diagnosis controlled trials and an original health economic model]
Offer liver function tests and ultrasound to people with Offer day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy to people
suspected gallstone disease and to people with abdominal who are having this operation as an elective planned
or gastrointestinal symptoms that have not responded to procedure unless their circumstances or clinical condition
previous management. [Based on moderate to very low make an inpatient stay necessary. [Based on moderate to
quality observational studies] low quality randomised controlled trials and an original
Consider magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography health economic model]
if ultrasound has not detected common bile duct stones but Offer early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (to be carried
the: out within one week of diagnosis) to people with acute
-Bile duct is dilated or cholecystitis. [Based on moderate to low quality
-Liver function test results are abnormal (or both). randomised controlled trials and an original health
economic model]
[Based on moderate to very low quality observational
studies] Clear the bile duct:
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BMJ 2014;349:g6241 doi: 10.1136/bmj.g6241 (Published 30 October 2014) Page 2 of 2
PRACTICE
-Surgically at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy or so that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be offered to patients
-With endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with acute cholecystitis within one week of diagnosis, and
before or at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. scheduling radiological and surgical lists to enable endoscopic
retrograde cholangiopancreatography to be delivered to patients
[Based on very low quality randomised controlled trial with common bile duct stones at the time of laparoscopic
evidence and an original health economic model] cholecystectomy.
People with gallstone disease in whom The members of the Guideline Development Group were: Gary McVeigh
surgery or ductal clearance is inappropriate (chair), Elaine Dobinson Evans, Simon Dwerryhouse, Rafik Filobbos,
Imran Jawaid, Angela Madden (co-opted expert), Peter Morgan, Gerri
Reconsider laparoscopic cholecystectomy for people who
Mortimore, Kofi Oppong, Charles Rendell, Richard Sturgess, Giles
have had percutaneous cholecystostomy once they are well
Toogood, and Luke Williams. The technical team at NICE included
enough for surgery, regardless of age and comorbidities.
Gabriel Rogers, Steven Ward, and Sheryl Warttig.
[Based on the experience and opinion of the GDG]
Contributors: SW wrote the first and subsequent drafts of this summary.
If the bile duct cannot be cleared with endoscopic All authors reviewed the drafts, were involved in writing further drafts,
retrograde cholangiopancreatography, use biliary stenting and reviewed and approved the final version for publication. SW is
to achieve biliary drainage as a temporary measure only guarantor.
until definitive endoscopic or surgical clearance. [Based
Competing interests: We have read and understood BMJ policy on
on the experience and opinion of the GDG]
declaration of interests and declare the following interests: All authors
are employees of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence,
Eating and drinking after cholecystectomy which is commissioned and funded by the Department of Health to
Advise people that they should not need to avoid the food develop clinical guidelines. The authors full statements can be viewed
and drink that triggered their symptoms after they have at www.bmj.com/content/bmj/349/bmj.g6241/related#datasupp.
their gallbladder or gallstones removed. [Based on the Provenance and peer review: Commissioned; not externally peer
experience and opinion of the GDG] reviewed.
Hospital services and those commissioning hospital services Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g6241
will need to review policies on the management of patients with
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2014
gallstone disease. This may involve rearranging surgical lists
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BMJ 2014;349:g6241 doi: 10.1136/bmj.g6241 (Published 30 October 2014) Page 3 of 2
PRACTICE
Future research
The GDG identified the following areas for future research:
What are the long term benefits and harms and cost effectiveness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) compared with magnetic resonance
cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in adults with suspected common bile duct stones?
What are the benefits and harms, and cost effectiveness of routine intraoperative cholangiography in people with low to intermediate
risk of common bile duct stones?
What models of service delivery enable intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for bile duct clearance
to be delivered within the NHS? What are the costs and benefits of different models of service delivery?
In adults with common bile duct stones, should laparoscopic cholecystectomy be performed early (within two weeks of bile duct clearance),
or should it be delayed (until six weeks after bile duct clearance)?
What is the long term effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on outcomes that are important to patients?
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