Endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones in patients with intact gallbladders

Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 121 patients (age range 34–92 years; median 80 years) with intact gallbladders and bile duct stones. Clearance of the duct by basket or balloon extraction was attempted in 97 patients (80 per cent) and achieved in 93 of these patients (96 per cent). In 24 patients the duct was left to empty spontaneously and this occurred in 22 patients. Immediate complications due to endoscopic sphincterotomy occurred in five patients (two haemorrhage, two perforation, one haemorrhage and perforation). Of the 101 patients reviewed 12–72 months (median 24 months) after endoscopic sphincterotomy, 76 (75 per cent) have remained asymptomatic throughout the follow‐up period. Eighteen patients (18 per cent) required cholecystectomy for recurrent gallbladder symptoms 1–24 months after endoscopic sphincterotomy. One of the asymptomatic patients underwent cholecystectomy on the advice of his consultant. A further seven had recurrent biliary colic or cholangitis necessitating enlargement of the sphincterotomy and further stone retrieval in three of these patients. Endoscopic sphincterotomy is an effective treatment for bile duct stones in high risk patients, but subsequent cholecystectomy is required in a significant number of patients owing to continuing gallbladder symptoms.