Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation with minor sphincterotomy for periampullary diverticular papilla.

Background To observe the outcome of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with minor sphincterotomy (mEST) for periampullary diverticular papilla related to stone removal. Methods Patients with confirmed periampullary diverticulum (PAD) during stone removal from May 2016 to April 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The Chi-square test with Yates correction or Fisher's exact test was used for the analysis of categorical data and a normality test was applied for continuous data.

Endoscopic treatment for choledocholithiasis in asymptomatic patients.

Background And Aim: A few small retrospective studies recently found that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in asymptomatic compared with symptomatic common bile duct stones (CBDSs) patients appeared to increase the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). This study aimed to determine the risk of ERCP in asymptomatic CBDS patients.

Methods: A total of 327 consecutive patients with native papilla were invited to participate into the study and divided into two groups: 53 in the asymptomatic group and 274 in the symptomatic group, who underwent CBDS removal by ERCP.

Minor endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by large balloon dilation for large choledocholith treatment.

Aim: To evaluate early and late outcomes of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with minor endoscopic sphincterotomy (mEST) for stone removal.

Methods: A total of 149 consecutive patients with difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones (diameter ≥ 10 mm or ≥ 3 stones) underwent conventional endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) or mEST plus EPLBD from May 2012 to April 2016. Their demographic, laboratory and procedural data were collected, and pancreaticobiliary complications were recorded.

Ratio of platelet count/spleen diameter predicted the presence of esophageal varices in patients with schistosomiasis liver cirrhosis.

Aim: To examine the platelet count (PC)/spleen diameter (SD) ratio in predicting the presence of esophageal varices (EV) in patients with schistosomiasis liver cirrhosis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 95 consecutive patients with EV induced by schistosomiasis liver cirrhosis were enrolled in this trial. A total of 141 schistosomiasis liver cirrhosis patients without EV were enrolled as controls.

Nasobiliary drainage after endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation may prevent postoperative pancreatitis.

Aim: To evaluate the necessity of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) catheter placement after clearance of common bile duct (CBD) stones.

Methods: Patients enrolled in this study were randomly divided into two groups, according to whether or not they received ENBD after the removal of CBD stones. Group 1 (ENBD group) was then subdivided into three groups: G1a patients received an endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD), G1b patients received an endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), and G1c patients received neither.

Prevention of pancreatitis after papillary balloon dilatation by nasobiliary drainage: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) was associated with a higher rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP).

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine whether placement of an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) catheter can also prevent PEP after EPBD.

Methods: A total of 93 patients, who with proven common bile duct (CBD) stones, received EPBD were enrolled this trial.

New index to predict esophageal variceal bleeding in cirrhotic patients.

Aim: To develop a safe, simple, noninvasive and affordable system to predict esophageal variceal bleeding (EVB) in decompensated cirrhosis patients.

Methods: Four hundred and eighty-six patients with decompensated cirrhosis (238 males and 248 females), with a mean age of 63.1 ± 11.