title: Endoscopic Approach via the Minor Papilla for the Treatment of Pancreatic Stones.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to evaluate whether the advanced techniques have influenced the minor papilla approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the success rate of guide wire insertion by using ordinary techniques and advanced techniques (rendezvous method and precut method) in 30 patients via the minor papilla. We compared the selection of the access routes between before (52 patients) and after (28 patients) the introduction of the Soehendra stent retriever.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 19 out of 30 patients (63%), guide wire insertion via the minor papilla could be achieved by using ordinary techniques. In total, the guide wire could be inserted in 27 patients (90%) by using the advanced techniques. Before introduction of the Soehendra stent retriever, the major papilla approach was chosen in 38 cases (73%), and the minor papilla approach in 14 cases (27%). After introduction of the Soehendra stent retriever, the major papilla approach was used in 26 cases (93%) and the minor papilla in 2 cases (7%). The frequency of selecting the minor papilla approach has significantly decreased (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The advanced techniques have contributed to the improvement of endoscopic approaches via the minor papilla, and decreased the frequency of selecting the minor papilla approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Itaru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Naitoh
authors.forename: Fumihiro
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Okumura
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Joh