BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary sphincterotomy (BS) is the usual method for extracting common bile duct stones. However, following BS and by means of extraction balloons and Dormia baskets a complete bile duct clearance cannot be achieved in all cases. We present a study on the impact that hydrostatic balloon dilation of a previous BS (BSD) may have in the extraction rate of choledocholithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study which included 91 consecutive patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP. For stone removal, extraction balloons and Dormia baskets were used, and when necessary BSD was employed. RESULTS: Complete bile duct clearance was achieved in 86/91 (94.5%) patients. BSD was used in 30 (33%) cases. In these cases, extraction was complete in 29/30 (97%); 23 (76%) patients in the BSD group had anatomic difficulties or bleeding disorders. The most frequently used hydrostatic balloon diameter was 15 mm (60%). There were 7 (7.6%) complications: two self-limited hemorrhage episodes in the BSD group and one episode of cholangitis, one of pancreatitis, and three of bleeding in the group in which BSD was not used. CONCLUSIONS: BSD is a very valuable tool for extracting common bile duct stones. In our experience, there has been an increase in the extraction rate from 73% (Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2002; 94: 340-50) to 94.5% (p = 0.0001, OR 0.1, CI 0.05-0.45), with no increase in complications.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary sphincterotomy (BS) is the usual method for extracting common bile duct stones. However, following BS and by means of extraction balloons and Dormia baskets a complete bile duct clearance cannot be achieved in all cases. We present a study on the impact that hydrostatic balloon dilation of a previous BS (BSD) may have in the extraction rate of choledocholithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study which included 91 consecutive patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP. For stone removal, extraction balloons and Dormia baskets were used, and when necessary BSD was employed. RESULTS: Complete bile duct clearance was achieved in 86/91 (94.5%) patients. BSD was used in 30 (33%) cases. In these cases, extraction was complete in 29/30 (97%); 23 (76%) patients in the BSD group had anatomic difficulties or bleeding disorders. The most frequently used hydrostatic balloon diameter was 15 mm (60%). There were 7 (7.6%) complications: two self-limited hemorrhage episodes in the BSD group and one episode of cholangitis, one of pancreatitis, and three of bleeding in the group in which BSD was not used. CONCLUSIONS: BSD is a very valuable tool for extracting common bile duct stones. In our experience, there has been an increase in the extraction rate from 73% (Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2002; 94: 340-50) to 94.5% (p = 0.0001, OR 0.1, CI 0.05-0.45), with no increase in complications.