[Experience with insertion of an endoscopic endoprosthesis in a case of inoperable bile duct calculi]

Endoscopic sphincterotomy for removal of stones from the common bile duct is an established procedure. Large stones, however, can be unavailable for basket trapping and/or extraction in some cases. In these patients, which are at high risk for surgery, endoscopic insertion of biliary endoprosthesis seems to be an alternative approach to dissolution therapy or ESWL. During the last 5 year, among 4081 ERCP-s 879 examinations demonstrated common bile duct (CBD) stones in our institutions. In 81 of these cases, an endoprosthesis was inserted into the CBD after extended endoscopic sphincterotomy because of failure of extraction of the large stones. Also ursodeoxycholic-acid treatment was initiated thereafter. Mean age of patients was 76 yrs (range 46-95 yrs), 51 females and 30 males. Acute complications after procedure were: mild bleeding not requiring transfusion, and 1 perforation treated surgically some days after prosthesis placement. Late complications until now included: peritonitis in 1 case, and recurrent jaundice due to drain clogging in 12 patients. These patient were treated with replacement of endoprosthesis. Remaining patients are well since the procedure and in 26 cases controlled about 17 months after endoprosthesis placement endoscopy verified significantly smaller or no stones in the common bile duct and in 4 cases even the endoprosthesis has disappeared.

endoscopic insertion of a biliary endoprosthesis is a safe and effective treatment for the huge CBD stones in high risk patients in whom endoscopic sphincterotomy and attempts to remove the stones are not successful. In more than 30% of cases dissolution of stones with ursodeoxycholic acid may be expected.