Initial large diameter of common bile duct is associated with long-term dilatation of bile duct after endoscopic extraction of stones.

Objective: To investigate the time and extent of recovery of dilated common bile duct (CBD) after the extraction of CBD stones and to identify the factors related to the long-term dilatation of the CBD after stone removal.

Methods: Data of 329 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic extraction of CBD stones from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, 44 patients were enrolled in the study.

Results: The CBD diameter significantly decreased after stone extraction (P < 0.001). However, the CBD diameter in patients who were followed up for 1 week and longer and <1 week did not differ significantly. The diameter decreased more in patients with an initial CBD diameter ≥ 15 mm than in those with an initial CBD diameter <15 mm before stone extraction (P = 0.007), but the normalization of dilated CBD was less frequent in patients with a large initial CBD diameter. The factors related to the long-term dilatation of CBD (>10 mm for >6 months) were initial CBD diameter, the largest diameter of CBD stone and endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation. Initial CBD diameter was an independent factor with multivariate analysis (OR 1.754, P = 0.017).

Conclusions: The CBD diameter recovers rapidly after the extraction of CBD stones. An initial large CBD diameter before stone extraction is associated with the long-term dilatation of CBD.