title: The effect of biliary stenting on difficult common bile duct stones.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  If common bile duct (CBD) stones (choledocholithiasis) are left untreated, they may cause increases in morbidity and mortality due to several conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, using transient biliary stenting following the failure of an initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) session, we aimed to show the effects of making the CBD stones smaller and easier to remove in the following session.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 156 of 1300 (12%) patients with CBD stones, who underwent balloon screening and/or basket lithotripsy following ERCP and CBD cannulation, it was not possible to remove the stones in the first session. Of these 156 patients, 64 (4.9%) were further followed and tested following transient biliary stenting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the last ERCP following biliary stenting, the maximum stone sizes and stone indices were decreased in 54 (83%) patients and stone fragmentation was observed in 46 (72%) patients. Complete and incomplete removal was obtained in 40 (62.5%) and 24 (37.5%) patients, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biliary stenting, fragmentation and the reduction in the size of difficult common bile duct stones caused by the first session of ERCP may increase the chance of success in the next session of ERCP.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Katip Celebi University, Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Aslan
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Katip Celebi University, Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Mahmut
authors: M
authors: Arabul
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Katip Celebi University, Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Mustafa
authors: M
authors: Celik
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Katip Celebi University, Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Emrah
authors: E
authors: Alper
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Katip Celebi University, Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors: Belkıs
authors: B
authors: Unsal
keywords: biliary stenting; common bile duct stone; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography