Management of cholecysto‑choledocholithiasis by laparoendoscopic rendezvous: A single‑center series of 80 patients

Laparoendoscopic rendezvous (LERV) is a single‑stage technique increasingly used for the treatment of cholecysto‑choledocholithiasis, aiming to reduce morbidity compared to conventional two‑stage approaches. The present study aimed to assess the safety, efficacy and specific clinical characteristics of LERV. For this purpose, 80 patients undergoing LERV between May, 2018 and February, 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. The technique included laparoscopic cystic duct cannulation, antegrade guidewire passage, endoscopic sphincterotomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Primary outcomes were common bile duct clearance, morbidity and mortality. The LERV procedure was successfully implemented in 79 of 80 patients (98.7%), with no open conversions. The initial success rate was achieved in 97.5%. The median operative time was 115 min, and the median hospital stay was 3 days. Post‑operative complications occurred in 8.8% of patients, predominantly mild; no mortality was recorded. Post‑procedural pancreatitis occurred in 6.3% of patients. LERV was effective in complex cases, including pediatric patients (6.3%), post‑bariatric surgery (7.5%) and periampullary diverticulum (3.8%). In the whole, the present study demonstrates that LERV is a safe and effective single‑stage approach for the management of cholecysto‑choledocholithiasis, with particular advantages in anatomically or technically challenging cases. Its application, despite requiring coordinated multidisciplinary expertise, is increasingly supported by growing evidence.