The Waiting Window After ERCP: Cholecystectomy Timing and Biliary Readmission

Background: Patients may require another biliary admission after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) while awaiting cholecystectomy. Aim: To examine the association between planned ERCP-to-cholecystectomy timing and unplanned presurgical biliary admission. Methods: This prospective observational study was designed jointly by Gastroenterology and General Surgery at Bharat Medical College Hospital, Chennai, from May 2025 to May 2026. Adults with successful ERCP for gallstone-related common bile duct stones and planned cholecystectomy were followed for admission before surgery. Results: In the synthetic example of 43 patients, ten (23.3%) had an unplanned biliary admission. Admission occurred in 2/20 (10.0%) scheduled for surgery within seven days and 8/23 (34.8%) scheduled later. The unadjusted risk ratio was 3.48 (95% CI 0.83–14.52; Fisher’s exact P = 0.076). Acute cholecystitis accounted for four admissions, cholangitis for three, recurrent duct stones for two, and gallstone pancreatitis for one. Conclusion: The illustrative data suggest a possible association between later planned surgery and biliary admission, but the estimate is uncertain. The observed cohort data are required before any study result or conclusion can be submitted for publication. Keywords: Biliary readmission, Cholecystectomy, Choledocholithiasis, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, Surgical timing