Comparison of two capture methods for endoscopic removal of large common bile duct stones

Large common bile duct (CBD) stones remain a major challenge for endoscopists. The capture of large CBD stones is a limiting factor for successful removal. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stretching the basket out at the bottom of the stones to capture large CBD stones.

Sixty-five patients with large stones (>20 mm in diameter) were selected and randomly divided into Group A (33 cases) and Group B (34 cases). After appropriate sphincterotomy with balloon dilation, two different methods were used to capture stones. For Method A, the basket was inserted above a large stone and opened to capture it. For Method B, the basket was stretched out at the bottom of the large stone and opened slowly to capture it.

The success rate of capturing stones was 33.3% in Group A and 94.1% in Group B (P<.05). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rate between the two groups (P>.05).

The success rate for capturing large CBD stones can be increased by stretching the basket out at the bottom of the stones to capture the stone.