The cover illustrates patients with concomitant gallstones and common bile duct (CBD) stones. This study aims at the treatment of concomitant gallstones and CBD stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for patients with symptomatic gallstones or size ≥1 cm, and the first time CBD stones or recurrence size ≤2 cm suitable for ERCP.

Through the results, it can be concluded that the rate of ductal clearance in the separated-step group was significantly higher than the single-step group with p=0.041. The indication of single-step laparoscopic cholecystectomy immediately after ERCP or separated-step surgery should be based on the patient’s morbidity, the ductal clearance as well as the prognostic complications of ERCP.

To get more understanding about the topic, please see the full article "Gallstones and common bile duct stones: single or separated-step endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy?" in pages 55-58 of this issue.