Atsushi Minami1, Rikiya Fujita. 1. Nihon Medical School 2nd Hospital, Gastroenterological Center, Kawasaki Kyodo Hospital, Nakahara-Ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy is used routinely for extraction of bile duct stones. Also, endoscopic papillary dilation is a safe and effective technique that significantly reduces the need for papillotomy. However, extraction of large and/or multiple stones after endoscopic papillary dilation can be difficult. A new technique, endoscopic metallic stent-lithotripsy, for treatment of bile duct stones without endoscopic sphincterotomy or endoscopic papillary dilation is described. METHODS: A self-expandable metallic stent was used to dilate the major duodenal papilla to allow lithotripsy and removal of bile duct stones in 38 patients. RESULTS: The bile duct was successfully cleared of stones in 36 cases (95%). Complications included one episode of mild pancreatitis and one of cholangitis. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of patients who underwent successful expanding metallic stent-lithotripsy was small, the method is promising as an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary dilation.
BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy is used routinely for extraction of bile duct stones. Also, endoscopic papillary dilation is a safe and effective technique that significantly reduces the need for papillotomy. However, extraction of large and/or multiple stones after endoscopic papillary dilation can be difficult. A new technique, endoscopic metallic stent-lithotripsy, for treatment of bile duct stones without endoscopic sphincterotomy or endoscopic papillary dilation is described. METHODS: A self-expandable metallic stent was used to dilate the major duodenal papilla to allow lithotripsy and removal of bile duct stones in 38 patients. RESULTS: The bile duct was successfully cleared of stones in 36 cases (95%). Complications included one episode of mild pancreatitis and one of cholangitis. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of patients who underwent successful expanding metallic stent-lithotripsy was small, the method is promising as an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary dilation.