[Late results following dilatation of Vater's papilla in benign stenosis]

Between 1.1. 1978-31. 12. 1984 685 patients of Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe underwent choledochotomy for common bile duct stones. In 178 cases (27.1%) the papilla of Vater was dilated because of inflammatory stenosis. 2 until 8 years after operation 117 patients could be reexamined. 113 patients showed no complaints. Our results show that a single intraoperative dilatation of the papilla of Vater during common bile duct surgery is a valuable and effective treatment. Furthermore it proves to be of additional diagnostic value in the indication for transduodenal papillotomy.