Untreated adult GH deficiency is not associated with the development of metabolic risk factors: a long-term observational study.

PURPOSE: Uncertainties exist about the predictors of the severity of the clinical picture of GH deficiency (GHD) syndrome. Aim of the study was to evaluate, in adult patients with GHD, the predictors of the development of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 327 adult patients (age 47.1 ± 17.1 years) with untreated severe GHD (mean follow-up 110.9 ± 56.8 months). GHD was defined by GHRH + arginine test using BMI cut-offs. The possible development of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis was investigated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. For each clinical outcome, either a univariate or multivariate analysis according to the Cox proportional-hazards model was performed to identify those factors that were associated with the development of the event. RESULTS: GH secretion parameters were not associated with the outcomes. Hypercholesterolemia was positively and negatively predicted by a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (HR 2.50, p 0.00) and the dose of l-thyroxine possibly in place (HR 0.98, p 0.02), respectively. Hypertension was positively predicted by a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (HR 2.64, p 0.00) and IGF-I SDS values (HR 2.26, p 0.00). Diabetes mellitus was positively predicted by hypertension (HR 11.76, p 0.01). Osteoporosis was positively and negatively predicted by hypercholesterolemia (HR 3.25, p 0.01) and hypertension (HR 0.21, p 0.00), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of the impairment of GH secretion does not predict the development of the clinical picture of GHD syndrome: untreated adult GHD does not increase the development of metabolic risk factors in hypopituitaric patients.

Are the dietary habits of treated individuals with celiac disease adherent to a Mediterranean diet?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The only treatment for celiac disease (CD) is strict, lifelong adherence to a gluten-free (GF) diet. To date, there are contrasting data concerning the nutritional adequacy of GF products and diet. There have been no studies that have assessed the adherence of individuals with CD to a Mediterranean diet (MD), a protective dietary regimen against major non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Therefore, we examined the adherence to an MD of a group of Italian individuals with CD and compared it with that of a healthy control group. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a cross-sectional study, a sample of individuals with CD and a group of healthy subjects were included. The dietary habits of all participants were recorded using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and the adherence to an MD was determined using the Italian Mediterranean Index. Typical Mediterranean food consumption was not significantly different between individuals with CD and the healthy participants, except for fruits (P = 0.017). However, individuals with CD consumed significantly higher amounts of potatoes (P = 0.003) and red and processed meat (P = 0.005) than healthy participants. The resulting mean Italian Mediterranean Index was significantly higher in healthy participants than in individuals with CD (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results raise questions concerning the food choices of individuals with CD, suggesting the need of encouraging them to make better food choices more in line with an MD, which would improve their nutritional status and better protect them from NCDs at long term. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (ID NCT01975155) on November 4 2013.

The impact of bariatric surgery on health outcomes, wellbeing and employment rates: analysis from a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Morbid obesity is associated with several comorbidities that often impair patients' ability to obtain and keep a job and that, eventually, could hinder their fitness to work. This study aimed at determining whether the employment status of morbidly obese patients may be positively affected by bariatric surgery. METHODS: A total of 30 morbidly obese patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) from March 2014 to March 2015 were prospectively evaluated. All patients underwent a pre-operative assessment including the collection of personal and occupational data and the evaluation of musculoskeletal system. All evaluations were repeated at the end of a 24-month follow up. RESULTS: After RYGB, employment rates increased from 15/30 (50.0%) to 25/30 (83.3%, p = 0.012). Patients who were working at the end of follow-up referred lower rates of comorbidities, in particular of musculoskeletal complaints (4/25 vs. 4/5, p < 0.001), and presented significantly increased scores of energy/vitality at SF-36 assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that RYGB can increase employment rates, increasing tolerance to effort and reducing prevalence and severity of obesity-related symptoms and complaints.

Use of a proline-specific endopeptidase to reintroduce gluten in patients with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: A gluten-free diet (GFD) is the main therapy for non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). However, the availability of novel enzymes with the ability to digest gluten could represent a therapeutic opportunity for NCGS patients to avoid a GFD. AIMS: To evaluate the controlled reintroduction of gluten with or without the endopeptidase P1016 in NCGS patients. METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled monocentric study, Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier no. NCT01864993. Gluten was reintroduced incrementally over a 3-week period under nutritional control. NCGS patients were randomized into two groups and administered P1016 or placebo during gluten reintroduction. We evaluated symptoms (visual analogue scale, VAS), quality of life (SF-36) and mental health symptoms (SCL-90) on a weekly basis. RESULTS: We enrolled a total 23 patients who were allocated to a placebo group (n = 11, age 38.4 ± 2.9) or an intervention group (n = 12, age 39.5 ± 3.1). No effect of P1016 on symptoms was found. During gluten reintroduction, patients reported a significant increase in abdominal pain and a worsening of stool consistency. Furthermore, no differences were found between the groups regarding SCL-90 and SF-36 scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a lack of effect of P1016 in the management of NCGS patients and the possible reintroduction of gluten.

Routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis in octogenarians: is it worth the risk?

BACKGROUND: No unanimous consensus has been reached as to the need for routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) for choledocholithiasis in very elderly patients, who are considered as high-risk subjects for surgery. METHODS: From 1991 through 1997, 170 patients were referred to undergo preoperative ES and routine LC for common bile duct (CBD) stones. The results for 27 patients (age 80 years or older) were compared with those achieved for younger patients. Successively, in a retrospective case-control study, the results for the selected patients were compared with those for 27 very elderly patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but did not receive LC. The mean follow-up period was 126 months. RESULTS: Octogenarians showed longer surgery time (79 vs 51 min) and postoperative hospital stay (2.8 vs 1.2 days), as well as more early low-grade complications (15% vs 3%), whereas there were no differences in conversion rate or serious complications. Recurrent symptoms or complications developed in 48% of octogenarians not undergoing routine LC, and 30% finally needed surgery. One patient in the control group died after emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The results of surgery were significantly poorer for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Although a "wait-and-see" policy allowed two-thirds of LCs to be avoided in octogenarians, biliary-related events developed for every second patient, often requiring delayed surgery, with poorer results. Sequential treatment (ES followed by elective LC) is a safe procedure for octogenarians, and should be considered as a standard, definitive treatment for cholecystocholedocholithiasis even after the age of 80 years.

Endoscopic treatment of bilateral pheochromocytoma in MEN 2A syndrome: case report and review of the literature.

The benefits of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for single adrenal lesion have been well documented in literature; less experience though has been reported with simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy. This operation is indicated in case of primary hypercortisolism caused by bilateral adrenocortical hyperfunction, Cushing's disease after failure of pituitary surgery, ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production by a tumour inaccessible for surgical intervention, and pheochromocytoma when it occurs bilaterally in case of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A and 2B. Different laparoscopic approaches have been described to perform this operation, such as the "anterior" approach (transperitoneal), the "lateral" approach (transperitoneal and retroperitoneal), and the "posterior" approach (retroperitoneal). We report a case of bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy in a 33 years old female affected with bilateral pheochromocytoma due to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2A treated with a bilateral transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy and disease free after 18 months follow-up.

Intraoperative cholangiography and bile duct injury.

We are not in agreement with the opinion that the credit for excellent results after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is to be attributed to the routine performing of intraoperative cholangiography. We performed 2538 laparoscopic cholecystectomies without routine intraoperative cholangiography and we obtained very low rate and severity of common bile duct injuries: there was a total of four common bile duct injuries (0.16%), in no case was the injury a major transaction, and injuries were detected intraoperatively and easily repaired with a T-tube. Cholangiography could prevent bile duct transaction, but that it is not necessary for intraoperative cholangiography to be routinely performed for this purpose. It is sufficient for intraoperative cholangiography to be performed whenever the surgeon is in doubt as to the biliary anatomy or common bile duct clearance, and that when dissection of the cholecystic peduncle proves difficult he does not hesitate to convert to open access.

Anorectal reconstruction by electrostimulated graciloplasty as part of abdominoperineal resection.

AIMS: To report the outcomes of anorectal reconstruction by electrostimulated graciloplasty as part of abdominoperineal resection, on data prospectively collected over 10 years. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three abdominoperineal resections were associated to coloperineal pull through, double graciloplasty and loop abdominal stoma. Fifteen patients also received an implantable pulse generator, either for unsatisfactory result after external-source intermittent electrostimulation and biofeedback (five cases) or during graciloplasty (10 cases). Follow-up was to a maximum of 10 years. Functional outcome was followed up in sixteen patients who underwent stoma takedown. RESULTS: Mean actuarial survival at 5 years was 72.3%. Satisfactory results (score < or =8) occurred in 75% of patients (three without and 13 with stimulator) in the early stages, decreasing to 57% at 1 year and gradually increasing up to 100% at 5 years and over. CONCLUSIONS: Total anorectal reconstruction yields a good functional outcome over time. Thus, despite, and because of, a high complication rate and a great drain on resources, it should be considered a suitable procedure only for selected, strongly motivated patients.

Quality of life assessment in geriatric surgery.

An excessive number of studies on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has rendered results often contradictory and difficult to interpret. HRQOL evaluation in the aged is even more difficult, due to intrinsic conceptual and methodological problems. Since no structured instruments are available for use in geriatric surgery, it would be necessary either to work out a new specific instrument or to adapt/adopt an already existing method. Properties and methodological steps for development and validation are set forth. The Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy (FACT) scale was developed for patients with cancer and has been recently validated also in the elderly. The Multidimensional Assessment for Cancer in the Elderly (MACE) was originally developed for elderly cancer patients. Since both methods are irrespective of subjects undergoing surgery, its use requires further validation. The MACE gives a broad information spectrum, but in geriatric surgery it seems too complex. The FACT-G is a simple core item questionnaire which can be integrated by disease-specific items and seems more compliant. A disease-specific and treatment-specific application of FACT questionnaires by multicenter studies might be useful in evaluating surgical procedures in patients in whom significant advantages in survival cannot be expected, but QOL can still significantly improve.

Does laparoscopic cholecystectomy worsen the prognosis of unsuspected gallbladder cancer?

BACKGROUND: Several reports claim that there is a risk that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) might worsen the prognosis of unsuspected gallbladder cancer. HYPOTHESIS: Several factors rather than LC could influence prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective clinicopathologic study was performed on 20 patients, 9 patients (3 men and 6 women, aged from 36 to 75 years [mean age, 62.3 years]) undergoing LC and 11 patients (2 men and 9 women, aged from 53 to 91 years [mean age, 65.3 years]) undergoing open cholecystectomy (OC), with postoperatively diagnosed gallbladder cancer. The correlation was evaluated between cumulative survival rates and the following 7 prognostic factors: age, sex, histopathological grade, pathologic stage, occurrence of bile spillage, type of cholecystectomy (LC or OC), and additional surgical treatments. RESULTS: Seven patients (87%) after LC and 9 patients (82%) after OC had cancer recurrence: the difference is of no statistical significance (P =.9). There were no recurrences of cancer in the abdominal wall after either LC or OC. Survival rate was statistically correlated to tumor stage (P =.007) and to the occurrence of bile spillage (P =.002). Survival rate did not change according to whether the operation was carried out using LC or OC (P =.60). CONCLUSION: These results would seem to lend support to the opinion that LC does not worsen the prognosis for unsuspected gallbladder cancer.

Neurobiological and psychopharmacological basis in the therapy of bulimia and anorexia.

1. Eating disorders can be found in several psychiatric pathologies: schizophrenia, delusional disorder (somatic type), bipolar disorders, major depressive disorder, borderline personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, somatization disorder and conversion disorder. 2. Although their clinical features have been defined, relatively little is known about the role of neurobiological patterns in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Several CNS neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are involved in the regulation of eating behavior in animals and have been implicated in symptoms such as depression and anxiety often observed in patients with eating disorders. The authors will review some studies on NA, DA, 5-HT, beta-endorphins, CRH, VP, OT, CCK, NPY and PYY involved in eating disorders. Furthermore, we will highlight some of the studies on drug therapy of eating disorders taking into account the effects of these agents on neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. 3. Antidepressant drugs have long been used for anorexia nervosa and bulimia, these disorders been claimed to be affective equivalent. Antidepressant agents seem to be effective in reducing the frequency of binge-eating episodes, purging behavior and depressive symptomatology. It is notable that antidepressant agents have been proved to be effective in patients with chronic bulimic symptoms, even in cases persisting for many years and in patients who had repeatedly failed courses of alternative therapeutic approaches. In all of the positive studies, antidepressant agents appeared effective even in bulimic subjects who did not display concomitant depression. 4. Few controlled studies on use of medications for anorexia nervosa have been published. Central serotonergic receptor-blocking compounds such as cyproheptadine cause marked increase in appetite and body weight. Zinc supplementation or cisapride could be a therapeutic option in addition to psychological and other approaches in anorexia nervosa. 5. There is no therapy as yet which is fully effective in alimentary disorders. Psychotropic drugs give some relief from symptoms, but they cannot cure the disorders. An integrated approach, either pharmacological or psychological, is still recommendable.

Delay in the diagnosis and outcome of colorectal cancer: a prospective study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of the delay in the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma, possible causes of this delay and its effects on outcome. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 100 patients affected by colorectal cancer. Duration of symptoms was calculated from the date of onset of symptoms to the date of surgery. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients suffered delays in treatment of more than 12 weeks from the onset of symptoms. In patients with symptoms of less than 12 weeks' duration there was a higher incidence of radical surgery and none of these patients presented, at the time of surgery, a neoplastic dissemination. Multivariate analysis, however, showed that the only factors with an independent effect on 5-year survival and disease-free survival were Dukes' stage and the presence of pre-operative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that, independent of the diagnostic delay, the outcome of the colorectal cancer is only conditioned by tumour stage and by complicated cancer.

Asymptomatic bile duct stones: selection criteria for intravenous cholangiography and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Routine use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and/or intravenous cholangiography (IVC) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) before laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not cost-effective. The objective of this study was to determine precise and easily applicable criteria to select patients who should undergo IVC, MRCP and/or ERC before LC. DESIGN AND METHODS: Prospectively collected data from 74 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with asymptomatic common bile duct stones (CBDS) before undergoing LC, were compared with data from 74 matched controls without CBDS. Using the chi2 test, those variables were identified which were significantly related to the presence of CBDS. These were inserted into a logistic multiple regression model and, by means of conditional regression analysis, each variable was assigned a score from -2 to +4 proportional to the odds ratio. By adding up the scores obtained, a classification was made as to high, medium and low CBDS risk. RESULTS: As a result, 51 patients were found to be low-risk cases, 53 medium-risk and 44 high-risk. Assuming no further assessment of the bile duct needed to be carried out in low-risk patients, an IVC or MRCP in those at medium risk and an ERC in those at high risk, a calculation was made of the positive predictive value and the sensitivity of the system proposed. The positive predictive value and the sensitivity of the procedure were calculated as being greater than 90%. CONCLUSIONS: This predictive system for the risk of CBDS allows the selective use of ERC, IVC and MRCP to ensure a high yield and improve cost-effectiveness. A controlled prospective study will verify these results.

Giant abdominal stromal cell tumour diagnosed at endoscopic ultrasonography: is there a need for systematic use of endoscopic ultrasonography in submucosal gastric tumours?

A giant abdominal stromal cell tumour was diagnosed at endosonography performed for a relatively small gastric submucosal lesion. Although the case is rare, it draws attention to the need for systematic investigations with endoscopic ultrasonography in any submucosal lesion.

Inflammatory cells, apoptosis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in atherosclerosis.

Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), chromosomal alterations and apoptosis were suggested as contributing factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Early (EP) and unstable plaques (UP) were studied in order to assess infiltrate composition, the apoptotic index, chromosome 7 stability and to investigate the concurrent presence of CP in EP and UP. Paraffin embedded sections of three iliac arteries and four aortas from young donors (EP), and four coronaries and nine carotid arteries (UP) were used. Aside from histological techniques, immunophenotypification for macrophages, T and B cells, smooth muscle and endothelial cells; FISH and DNA nick end labeling were performed. The amplifications with PCR for CP infection were negative in all specimens. In the EP, a focal myointimal thickening with foam cells and scarce smooth muscle cells was observed. Macrophages were most frequent in the intima (10.8%) while T and B cells were found in 2.3 and 1.5%. In the UP a thin cap covering a lipid-rich core with widespread vascularization and with severe luminal obstruction was observed. Macrophages were increased (21%), and T (1.5%) and B cells (3.5%) in the caps and inner areas of the lipid cores. At these sites, the FISH showed trisomy and tetrasomy of chromosome 7 and apoptosis was very frequent (10-30%). Macrophages in intimal lesions is one of the most prominent, consistent and permanent features in EP, and an elevated apoptotic index and chromosome 7 instability might contribute to evolution from stable to complicated plaques, while CP seems to play no role. However, further studies are needed with more cases to confirm this last observation.

Laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with antiperistaltic cecorectal anastomosis.

Several trials have demonstrated the efficacy, low morbidity, and clinical benefit of laparoscopy, as compared with laparotomy, for the treatment of benign colorectal disease. Slow-transit constipation, also defined as colonic inertia (CI), improves after colectomy, and we recently proposed a technique for subtotal colectomy with a novel antiperistaltic cecorectal anastomosis (CRA). In this article, we propose a technique for subtotal colectomy with CRA via a laparoscopic approach. This technique was used to treat two young women affected by CI. The operating time was 320 and 360 min, respectively. There was no postoperative morbidity. The length of postoperative hospital stay was 10 days. One month after CRA, bowel frequency was regular in both cases. Our results allow us to state that laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with CRA is safe and effective for patients with CI.

Gallstone cholangitis: a 10-year experience of combined endoscopic and laparoscopic treatment.

BACKGROUND: To date, no procedure has yet been identified as the gold standard for the treatment of gallstone cholangitis in the laparoscopic era. METHODS: The data of 109 consecutive patients with acute cholangitis were prospectively entered into a computerized database. All patients were managed according to a standard protocol. The main treatments were endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES), followed by interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Patients in whom ERC or endoscopic stone clearance failed were managed by emergency open common bile duct exploration. LC was performed with a standardized four-cannula technique. The mean duration of surgery, conversion rate, and postoperative outcome of these patients were evaluated. RESULTS: ERC was successful in 103 patients (94.5%). In five of these patients (4.8%), no bile duct stones were found. The 98 patients (95.2%) with common bile duct stones were referred for ES. The bile duct stones were successfully removed after ES in 93 cases (94.9%). The overall failure rate of ERC and ES for choledocholithiasis was 10.1%. Self-limiting pancreatitis occurred in four patients (4.3%). Overall, two of the 109 patients died (1.8%). After ES, 81 patients underwent LC. LC was performed successfully in 74 patients (91.3%). Conversion to open surgery was required in seven patients (8.7%). The morbidity rate after cholecystectomy was 7.4%; the morbidity rate after open bile duct exploration was 36.4% (p<0.05). Fifteen patients were managed conservatively after initial endoscopic management of their cholangitis. The overall incidence of recurrent biliary symptoms was significantly higher among patients with gallbladder in place than for patients who underwent cholecystectomy (38.5% vs 1.5%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: ES followed by LC is a safe and effective approach for the management of gallstone cholangitis; cholecystectomy should be performed in patients with gallstone cholangitis unless the operative risk is extremely high. These high operative risk patients and those who refuse surgery after ES should be warned that they are at high risk for recurrent biliary symptoms.

Laparoscopically assisted treatment of acute abdomen in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The incidence of abdominal pain in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is very high. Most patients do not require surgical treatment (serositis). Some cases such as appendicitis, perforated ulcer, cholecystitis or, rarely, intestinal infarction are surgical. Differential diagnosis is difficult, partly because noninvasive examinations do not provide enough evidence to rule out a diagnosis. On the other hand, in patients with SLE who have acute abdomen, it is dangerous to delay surgery by attempting conservative therapy. In fact, a better survival rate has been associated with early laparotomy. We report a case of acute abdomen in a patient affected by SLE, in which the diagnostic problem was solved by means of laparoscopy and the treatment was laparoscopically assisted. A 45-year-old woman with a 25-year history of SLE was admitted with abdominal pain and fever. Her physical examination revealed a painful right iliac fossa with rebound tenderness. Her WBC count was normal. Abdominal x-ray, ultrasonography, paracentesis, and peritoneal lavage did not provide a diagnosis. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, showing segmentary small bowel necrosis. The incision of the umbilical port site was enlarged to allow a small laparatomy, and a small bowel resection was performed. The histopathologic finding was "leucocytoclasic vasculitis, with infarction of the intestinal wall." The patient recovered uneventfully. In conclusion, this case report shows that emergency diagnostic laparoscopy is feasible and useful for acute abdomen in SLE. Currently, this diagnostic possibility could be considered the technique of choice in these cases, partly because, when necessary, it also can allow for mini-invasive treatment therapy.

Laparoscopy in the last decade of the millennium: have we really improved?

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to evaluate the evolution of laparoscopic surgery during the past decade in terms of variations in the quality (complexity) of the procedures performed and of modifications in patient outcome. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of 3022 consecutive patients undergoing 99 different laparoscopic procedures at a center specialized in laparoscopic abdominal surgery. All the procedures were classified according to three classes of complexity. Results relating to the first 1511 patients were compared to those of the last 1511 patients. RESULTS: In the second group, medium- to high-class complexity procedures significantly increased, conversion rate was higher only for straightforward procedures, duration of low- to medium-class complexity procedures decreased, only the rate of slight complications increased, and mean postoperative hospital stay was longer. Frequency of conversion in medium- to high-class complexity procedures and severe complications was not different in the two periods. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of laparoscopic surgery has improved during the past decade, with no increase in the frequency of conversion or of major complications.

Scoring system to predict asymptomatic choledocholithiasis before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate if a recently proposed score system based on six preoperative parameters [history of colic pain and/or jaundice, dyspepsia, cholecystitis, ultrasound (US), evidence of common bile duct stones (CBDS), number and size of gallbladder stones at US, level of serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase and/or alkaline phosphatase is effective in the selection of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with asymptomatic CBDS and could allow a significant reduction of the total number of preoperative examinations. METHODS: In the case group, 408 patients were categorized into low-, medium-, and high-risk classes and underwent, respectively, no further preoperative assessment of the bile duct, intravenous cholangiography (IVC), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was performed whenever the surgeon was in doubt as to biliary anatomy or bile duct clearance. These patients were compared with 408 retrospectively matched patients (control group) undergoing routine preoperative IVC and/or ERC. RESULTS: In the case group, significantly lower numbers of IVC (120 vs 392) and IOC (3 vs 16) were performed ( p < 0.005), whereas no difference in the total number of ERCs was noted. One patient in the control group had retained CBDS detected during follow-up evaluation, whereas none occurred in the case group. CONCLUSION: The proposed scoring system allows selective use of IVC, ERC, and/or IOC in patients undergoing elective LC.