Improving recovery in repeat laparoscopic surgery for bile duct stones using a modern care protocol

ISRCTN ISRCTN14816651
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14816651
Submission date
22/03/2025
Registration date
07/04/2025
Last edited
31/03/2025
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Surgery
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Surgery for bile duct stones can be challenging, especially in patients who have had previous operations. This study looks at whether a modern recovery protocol called "enhanced recovery after surgery" (ERAS) can help patients recover faster and more comfortably after repeat laparoscopic bile duct surgery.

Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 and over with confirmed extrahepatic bile duct stones and a history of biliary surgery, where endoscopic treatment was not successful.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives standard surgical care, while the other receives enhanced recovery care, including shorter fasting, early movement and feeding, and better pain control. Both groups undergo the same laparoscopic surgery.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants in the ERAS group may experience faster recovery and less discomfort. All procedures follow standard medical practices, and no unusual risks are expected.

Where is the study run from?
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2017 to December 2025

Who is funding the study?
The Scientific Pre-research Foundation of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China

Who is the main contact?
Dr Lin Changjie, 631118863@qq.com

Contact information

Mr Changjie Lin
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery
Nuclear Industry General Hospital (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University)
Suzhou
215004
China

Phone 67784099
Email 631118863@qq.com

Study information

Study designSingle-center double-blind randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeQuality of life, Treatment, Safety, Efficacy
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available
Scientific titleApplication of enhanced recovery after surgery in the secondary surgery of extrahepatic bile duct stones
Study objectivesPrimary Aim:
To assess whether enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols improve postoperative recovery, reduce inflammation and complications, and shorten hospital stay in patients undergoing laparoscopic biliary reoperation for extrahepatic bile duct stones.
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 09/07/2024, Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (1055 Sanxiang Road, Suzhou, 215004, China; +86 512-6828-9999; sdfeylunli@163.com), ref: JD-LK2024-47-101

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedEnhancing recovery surgery (ERAS) protocols after laparoscopic biliary reoperation for extrahepatic bile duct stones
InterventionThe patients were randomly divided into the ERAS group and the control group by block randomization with 30 cases in each group. The random numbers were generated by computer and allocated in a 1:1 ratio. The designer prepared random number envelopes and distributed them to the clinical doctors. The entire experimental process was without contact with the patients. Similarly, the clinical doctors responsible for patient enrollment, intervention implementation, and result analysis did not participate in the randomization process.

ERAS Group: Patients received perioperative care following ERAS principles, including shortened fasting, carbohydrate loading, no routine nasogastric tube or bowel prep, early oral feeding and ambulation, controlled fluids, multimodal analgesia, and early removal of drains.
Control Group: Patients received standard perioperative management, including prolonged fasting, traditional bowel prep, nasogastric decompression, delayed oral intake and ambulation, routine drain management, and conventional analgesia.
Intervention typeMixed
Primary outcome measurePain intensity measured using the Faces Pain Scale – Revised at 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively.
Secondary outcome measures1. Time to first anal ventilation (hours) recorded postoperatively
2. Postoperative hospital stay (days) recorded from surgery to discharge
3. Hospitalization costs in RMB collected from medical records at discharge
4. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) measured via blood test on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5
5. Serum prealbumin (PAB) measured via blood test on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5
6. Incidence of complications (nausea, vomiting, bile leakage, infection, etc.) recorded during hospital stay
Overall study start date01/06/2017
Completion date31/12/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
SexBoth
Target number of participants60
Total final enrolment60
Key inclusion criteria1. MRCP confirmed presence of extrahepatic bile duct stones with multiple stones and large diameters
2. There was a history of biliary tract surgery in the past, including cholecystectomy or biliary tract exploration
3. After confirmation by the gastroenterology doctor, ERCP could not remove the stones at one time
4. The extrahepatic bile duct is dilated with a diameter larger than 8 mm
Key exclusion criteria1. The diameter of extrahepatic bile duct is less than 8 mm
2. The number of extrahepatic bile duct stones is small, and their diameters are also small, and ERCP is expected to be able to remove all of them at one time
3. Severe cardiopulmonary dysfunction
4. History of choledochojejunostomy surgery
Date of first enrolment01/06/2017
Date of final enrolment31/12/2019

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • China

Study participating centre

The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University
215004
China

Sponsor information

Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University
Hospital/treatment centre

Department of General Surgery, Souzhou
Jiangsu
215004
China

Phone +86 0512-67784099
Email sdfeyjg@163.com
Website http://www.sdfey.com/web/jsp/front/english.jsp
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02xjrkt08

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University
Private sector organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, General Hospital of Nuclear Industry, Sino-French Friendship Hospital, 苏州大学附属第二医院
Location
China

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2026
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date

Editorial Notes

31/03/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.