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.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients that underwent single-stage LC + LCBDE for the management of choledocholithiasis with concomitant gallstones.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients that underwent LC only or LCBDE only

Patients that underwent the single-stage approach of LC + LCBDE for the management of choledocholithiasis, between April 2016 and February 2024. All patients were assessed with preoperative liver function tests (LFTs) and abdominal imaging such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and/ or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP).