Abstract
ABSTRACT
We clarified the significance of endoscopic balloon sphincteroplasty (EBS) in the therapeutic treatment of biliary tract stones in the present era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Patients with cholecysto-choledocholithiasis (n = 33) were treated by EBS. After endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), a balloon catheter (8 mm in diameter and 3 cm in width) was inserted into the bile duct using a guidewire, and positioned at the sphincter of Oddi. After inflating the balloon catheter, bile duct stones were removed by mechanical lithotripsy, a basket catheter, or a balloon catheter. In all patients, bile duct stones were removed by EBS without endoscopic sphincterotomy. No complication occurred except for 2 cases of mild pancreatitis, which was resolved within 48 hours. Twenty-four patients underwent LC before or after EBS. The remaining 9 patients did not undergo LC due to a poor-risk status for general anesthesia. None of them, however, experienced cholecystitis or colicky attacks after EBS. The combination of EBS and LC is an excellent method for treating cholecysto-choledocholithiasis.
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