[Endoscopic sphincterotomy in the treatment of biliary lithiasis. Our experience]

Endoscopic Sphincterotomy (E.S.) is a simple and efficacious method for the management of bile duct stones and papillary stenosis. In this series, the E.S. was attempted in 25 patients and performed in 23 (92%). Nine patients had common bile duct stones. Eleven patients (48%) had common bile duct and gallbladder stones. Two patients (8.7%) had intrahepatic lithiasis and one patient (4.3%) had papillary stenosis without gallstones. After E.S. all patients underwent instrument removal of bile duct stones, using "Dormia" basket and "Fogarty" balloon catheter. Transnasal bile duct drainage was performed in 20 patients (86.9%). Early complications were observed in three patients (13%); one sphincterotomy side bleeding and two acute pancreatitis, which were treated successfully conservatively. Mean follow-up was 10.7 months (range 3-27 months). Late complications did not occur for the method and/or for gallbladder stones. Four patients over 80 years of age, died for unrelated causes during follow-up.