Kapoor 1996.

Methods	Randomised clinical trial of pts with CBD stones found at ERCP randomised to either ERCP/ES and extraction followed by open cholecystectomy (ES + S group), or open cholecystectomy and CBDE (Surgery group). Single centre. Drop‐outs: ES + S group ‐ 2 failures to complete treatment, 1 carcinoma of gallbladder; SA group 1 carcinoma of gallbladder. Sample size calculations: no. Exclusions: unfit (1), cholangitis (9), unable to perform ERCP (3), large stone (12), no stone (2).
Participants	Lucknow, India. Commenced July 1991 and completed October 1993. 33 pts randomised. Inclusion criteria: Pts proven to have CBD stones at ERCP, i.e, ERCP achieved. Fit for surgery. Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy, cholangitis/septicaemia, CBD cannulation failed at ERCP, stone larger than 15 mm. Essential investigations: USS, serum biochemistry. 420 pts seen with gallstones, 60 suspected of having BDS (bilirubin > 34.2 umol/l, ALP > 235 IU/l, CBD diameter > 10 mm or BDS on USS), all underwent ERCP.
Interventions	ES + S group: CBD cleared at time of ERCP by basket or spontaneous passage. Subsequent surgery scheduled within 6 weeks. SA group: Following ERCP, surgery undertaken on next available elective list. Choledochoscopy optional.
Outcomes	Mortality, morbidity, clearance rates, hospital stay.
Notes	"good risk" pt not defined.
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Random sequence generation (selection bias)	Low risk	Computer‐generated random assignments.
Allocation concealment (selection bias)	Low risk	Sealed envelopes.
Blinding of participants and personnel (performance bias) All outcomes	High risk	Not possible.
Selective reporting (reporting bias)	Low risk	None.
Incomplete outcome data	Low risk	No missing data.
For‐profit bias	Low risk	Appears free of for‐‐profit support.
Other bias	Low risk	None.