title: Medium and long-term complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis.
abstract: The medium and long-term complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis were examined in patients referred to an endoscopy centre in an area general hospital. One hundred and thirty-eight patients were reviewed between 6 months and 7 years after successful endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis. The procedure was carried out post-cholecystectomy in 69 (50%) and with the gallbladder in situ in 69 patients. Four post-cholecystectomy patients and 10 with intact gallbladders had died by the time of review. A postal questionnaire was completed by the remaining 124 patients. Sixty-two post-cholecystectomy and 49 with gallbladders still intact remained symptom-free at follow-up. Eight patients had had the sphincterotomy as a preliminary to cholecystectomy. There were persistent symptoms in three post-cholecystectomy and two with intact gallbladders. Medium to long-term complications are uncommon after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: O'Connor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors