Early cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy for clearance of biliary stones associated with narrow lower bile duct

Stones larger than the distal common bile duct (CBD) are difficult to remove with conventional techniques. Large papillary balloon dilatation (> 12 mm) of the biliary sphincter is an effective technique for stone removal but is associated with risk of leak in patients with narrower lower CBD. Mechanical or cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy has been used in this situation for clearance of the bile duct. In the present study, we report outcomes of early cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy in patients with narrow lower CBD compared with stone size.

The present study is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from all patients with large proximal stones with a narrow lower bile duct who underwent digital cholangioscopy and electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL). Outcomes were proportion of patients with complete bile duct clearance after the first session of electrohydraulic lithotripsy, mean number of EHL sessions for complete clearance, and complications.

Eighty-one patients with mean age 54 ± 17 years underwent digital cholangioscopy and EHL. Mean stone size was 14.02 ± 3.5 mm and 71 patients (87.7%) had a stone only in the bile duct. Three (3.7%) and seven patients (8.6%) had stones also in the cystic duct and intrahepatic ducts, respectively. Balloon sphincteroplasty never exceeding distal CBD size was performed in 12 patients (14.8%). Complete stone clearance was achieved in 78 patients (96.3%) after a single session. Mean number of EHL sessions were 1.04 ± 0.19. Three patients developed mild adverse events, which were managed conservatively.

Early upfront digital cholangioscopy with EHL has high efficacy and safety for stone clearance after a single session in patients with narrow distal CBD.