Gallstone disease: diagnosis and management

Reasons for the decision

New evidence was identified during the surveillance review which supports the currently recommended diagnostic interventions and management strategies for gallstone disease, including to offer early laparoscopic cholecystectomy to people with acute cholecystitis.

New evidence was also identified concerning investigations for the diagnosis of gallbladder disease that are not currently recommended including procedures used in the management of common bile duct (CBD) stones, the timing of both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and surgery in the management of CBD stones and the timing of cholecystectomy following a diagnosis of gallstone pancreatitis. However, it was concluded that in the absence of further evidence synthesis or additional published evidence, this evidence would not be sufficient to trigger an update at this time. We identified relevant Cochrane reviews on the timing of ERCP and surgery in these populations through the surveillance review. We will monitor these Cochrane reviews and consider the updated conclusions when these become available.

For further details and a summary of all evidence identified in surveillance, see appendix A: summary of evidence from surveillance.