title: Per endoscopic sphincterotomy: a minimum trauma technique for the removal of retained common bile duct stones.
abstract: Drainage of the biliary tree and removal of retained common bile duct stones can be achieved by performing a sphincterotomy of the ampulla of Vater using a diathermy sphincterotome directed through a fibre-optic endoscope. The procedure was successfully performed on two patients considered unfit for abdominal surgery. It is a useful method in selected patients to release stones retained in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014670:Ampulla of Vater / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009803:Sphincter of Oddi / Q000601:surgery*