Long-term effects of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation on gallbladder motility.

We prospectively studied long-term (5 years) effects of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) on gallbladder motility. Thirteen patients with intact gallbladders (six with and seven without gallbladder stones) who had undergone EPBD for choledocholithiasis were enrolled in this study. Gallbladder volumes, while fasting and after dried egg yolk ingestion, were determined by ultrasonography, before and at 7 days, 1 month, and 1, 2, and 5 years after EPBD. Before EPBD, the gallbladder had a larger fasting volume and lower yolk-stimulated maximum contraction than in normal controls. Seven days after EPBD, fasting volume was decreased and maximum contraction was increased, regardless of whether the patient had gallbladder stones, showing significant differences from the pre-EPBD values. At 1 month to 5 years after EPBD, these changes were far less evident and gallbladder function did not differ significantly from baseline. EPBD does not adversely affect gallbladder motility in the long-term (5 years).