Risk Factors for Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis After Endoscopic Removal of Common Bile Duct Stones: An Update in Chinese Patients with Choledocholithiasis

Aim: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been widely used in endoscopic surgery for many biliary and pancreatic diseases. Post-ERCP Pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common complication that occurs, even with expert surgeons. However, few reports have addressed the risk of PEP by focusing on the removal of Common Bile Duct Stones (CBDS). Methods: To detect potential risk factors for PEP after endoscopic removal of CBDS, the medical records of CBDS patients who received ERCP procedures at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2021 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient- and procedure-related data were collected, and PEP was reevaluated. Single- and multiplevariable analyses were conducted to identify potential risk factors. Results: A total of 1,251 procedures were performed in 1,173 patients and PEP occurred in 84 cases (6.71%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that female sex (P= 0.049, 95% Confidence Interval CI: 1.002-2.521), cerebral infarction (P=0.011, 95% CI: 1.197-3.964), acute pancreatitis history (P=0.001, 95% CI: 2.436-7.249), fatty liver disease (P=0.021, 95% CI: 1.140 -4.843), common bile duct diameter <10 mm (P=0.005, 95% CI: 1.299-4.313), and Endoscopic Papillary Balloon Dilatation (EBD) (P=0.01, 95% CI: 0.321-0.855) were independent risk factors for PEP in CBDS patients. Conclusion: Female sex, a history of Fatty Liver Disease (FLD), previous acute pancreatitis, and common bile duct stenosis are risk factors for PEP, whereas EPBD is a protective factor for PEP in patients with CBDS, which should be considered by clinicians.