Why are we performing fewer cholecystectomies for mild acute biliary pancreatitis? Trends and predictors of cholecystectomy from the National Readmissions Database (2010-2014)

Background: Current guidelines recommend cholecystectomy for patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis (MABP) during the index admission because it is associated with better outcomes. In this study, we aimed to assess national trends in cholecystectomy during index admissions for MABP and to identify factors associated with cholecystectomy completion and 30-day readmission.

Methods: Using diagnostic codes and the National Readmissions Database, we identified patients admitted with MABP between 2010 and 2014. Differences in cholecystectomy rates were computed on the basis of various characteristics. We conducted a multivariable analysis to identify factors associated with 30-day readmission and cholecystectomy during the same admission.

Results: We identified 255,695 unique index MABP cases (41.3% male) and the 30-day readmission rate was 12.6%. Overall, 43.8% underwent cholecystectomy and 25% underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy. We observed a decreasing trend in both procedures during the study period (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, odds of 30-day readmission were reduced for patients undergoing ERCP with sphincterotomy (odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.84) or cholecystectomy (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.35-0.39).

Conclusions: For patients with MABP, cholecystectomy or ERCP with sphincterotomy during the index admission decreased the risk of 30-day readmission. Despite this benefit and national guidelines recommending cholecystectomy during the index MABP admission, the rate of cholecystectomies performed nationally decreased during the study period. Further research is needed to understand the implications and reasons underlying this deviation from guidelines.