Endoscopic cholangiopancreatoplasty: hydrostatic balloon dilation in the bile duct and pancreas

Specially designed catheters containing durable polyethylene balloons have been employed in the treatment of strictures of the bile duct and pancreas and the sphincter of Oddi during the performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Twenty-four patients with strictures of the distal common bile duct and/or dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi and six patients with proximal biliary strictures comprised the biliary group, while six patients with strictures of either the primary pancreatic duct or accessory systems made up the pancreatic group. No significant complications occurred following biliary dilation, while uncomplicated, mild pancreatitis was associated with pancreatic manipulation. The early results of hydrostatic dilation are encouraging, but larger series and longer term follow-ups are necessary before its efficacy can be determined.