Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after cholecystectomy

One hundred and eighty-two patients with undiagnosed postcholecystectomy symptoms were studied by ERCP. Successful ampullary cannulation was achieved in 164 patients. ERCP findings revealed an abnormality in 120 patients (73 per cent). Endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone removal were successful in removing calculi in 13 of 17 patients in whom this procedure was attempted. ERCP is often the procedure of choice in the diagnosis and management of patients with postcholecystectomy symptoms. The information gained may permit definitive treatment of the causative conditions, including the extraction of biliary calculi after papillotomy in selected instances.