Outcomes of endoscopic sphincteroplasty using large balloon dilatation for difficult common bile duct stone removal: a single endoscopist experience.

Objective: Endoscopic sphincteroplasty (ESPT) using a large CRETM Wireguided balloon dilatation is an alternative technique in removing a difficult common bile duct (CBD) stone. However the outcome and complications of endoscopic difficult CBD stone removal using ESPT have not been well demonstrated. The present study revealed the outcome of the technique which done by a single endoscopist.

Material And Method: Between January 2003 and December 2009, the retrospective study of ninety-three patients with CBD stones that underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) for stone removal and had difficulty were enrolled. ESPT using a large CRE Wireguided balloon dilatation was performed in 62 patients. The success rate of complete stone clearance and post ERCP complications were analyzed

Results: In the aspect of complete stone removal, the success rate was 88.7%. Seven patients (11.3%) required adjunctive mechanical lithotripsy (ML) for complete stone clearance. This technique was associated with low complication rate (3.2%). Post ERCP bleeding was found in one patient (1.6%) with ESPT using a large CRE balloon dilatation. Mild post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in only one patient.

Conclusion: ESPT using large diameter CRE Wireguided balloon dilatation after biliary sphinctertomy is an effective technique for a difficult CBD stone removal associated with a lower rate of complications. This procedure can avoid unnecessary surgical CBD exploration for stone removal.