BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) is a safe and effective method for the treatment of choledocholithiasis, but previous studies have rarely reported the appropriate ballooning time (BT). We prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of EPBD according to BT in patients undergoing bile duct stone removal. METHODS: Seventy consecutive patients with bile duct stones were randomly assigned to receive EPBD with either conventional (n = 35, 60 seconds) or short (n = 35, 20 seconds) BT. RESULTS: EPBD alone achieved complete bile duct clearance in 67 patients (long BT, n = 33, 94.3%; short BT, n = 34, 97.1%; p = 0.808). We also found no significant difference in the rate of complete duct clearance, including procedures that used mechanical lithotripsy, between the long and short BT groups (97.1% vs. 100%; p = 0.811). Mild pancreatitis was noted in four (11.4%) patients in the long BT group and two (5.7%) patients in the short BT group, but this incidence was not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that EPBD using both 20-sec and 60-sec BTs is safe and effective for the treatment of bile duct stones. Short and long BTs produced comparable outcomes.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Balloon Dilatation/adverse effects/*methods ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis/radiography/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Surgical clips can migrate into the biliary tract and act as a nidus for stone formation. We report a case of common bile duct stone developed due to a surgical clip in a 48-year-old man. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram revealed a common bile duct stone a with metallic clip in it. He had laparoscopic cholecystectomy 10 years ago. The stone was removed endoscopically. The use of resorbable clips during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended to avoid this type of complication.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic/adverse effects/*instrumentation ; Choledocholithiasis/*etiology/radiography/therapy ; *Foreign-Body Migration ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Instruments/*adverse effects

Afferent loop syndrome is a rare complication which can occur in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. Bile and pancreatic juice is congested at afferent loop in the syndrome. This syndrome can progress rapidly to necrosis, perforation, or severe sepsis, and therefore early diagnosis and swift surgical intervention is important. But, cases of endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic drainage have been reported when surgical management was inappropriate to proceed. We report a case of afferent loop syndrome accompanying acute cholangitis developed after percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy for the retrieval of common bile duct stone in a patient who underwent Billroth II gastrectomy due to early gastric cancer. There was no other organic cause. We treated afferent loop syndrome successfully by performing balloon dilation of afferent loop outlet.
Acute Disease ; Afferent Loop Syndrome/*etiology ; Aged, 80 and over ; Balloon Dilation ; Cholangiography ; Cholangitis/*etiology ; Choledocholithiasis/*diagnosis/radiography/therapy ; Common Bile Duct ; Gallstones/*diagnosis/therapy ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Lithotripsy/*adverse effects ; Male ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed