title: Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation for the management of recurrent difficult bile duct stones after previous endoscopic sphincterotomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endoscopic management of recurrent bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is effective and safe. However, repeat EST for extension of a previous EST for recurrent bile duct stones may involve substantial risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) without repeat EST for recurrent difficult bile duct stones after previous EST.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2006 to October 2010, a total of 52 patients were enrolled; all had undergone EPLBD (balloon diameter: 12-20 mm) to remove recurrent difficult bile duct stones after previous EST. In all patients, stone removal had failed with conventional methods using a basket and/or balloon. The size of the balloon for EPLBD was selected to fit the diameter of the common bile duct or the largest stone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median interval between initial EST and stone recurrence was 2.2 years (range 1-10). Median diameters of thelargest stone and balloon were 20.1 mm (range 12-40) and 14.7 mm (range 12-20), respectively. Complete stone removal was achieved in all patients (100%). The median number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography sessions needed for complete stone removal was 1.6 (range 1-3). Additional lithotripsy was required in 16 patients (30.7%). No procedure-related complications were documented, with the exception of four cases of asymptomatic hyperamylasemia. The recurrence rate of CBD stones after bile duct clearance was 17.3% (9/52) during the follow-up period (mean 27.0 ± 14.1 months).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EPLBD without repeat EST is effective and relatively safe for the extraction of recurrent difficult bile duct stones after previous EST.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Center and Research Institute, Department of Internal Medicine, Soon Chun Hyang University School of Medicine, Bucheon and Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Geun
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Jong Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Hyun Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dong Choon
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Myung Soo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Tae Hoon
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sang-Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Young Deok
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Sang-Heum
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Sun-Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D004106:Dilatation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation; endoscopic sphincterotomy; recurrent bile duct stone