title: Early postoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy for retained common duct stones.
abstract: The results of endoscopic sphincterotomy in 30 patients with retained common bile duct stones and a T-tube in situ following surgical exploration of the common bile duct are presented. Successful stone extraction was achieved in 27 cases (90%). There was one death, which was not procedure related. Early postoperative T-tube cholangiography is advocated and if necessary sphincterotomy can be safely performed 1 week following surgery. This approach has advantages in shortening hospital stay and minimising patient discomfort.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Royal Brisbane Hospital, Australia.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Askew
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Cowen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013105:Sphincterotomy, Transduodenal