ENDOSCOPIC PAPILLARY BALLOON DILATION IN CIRRHOTIC-PATIENTS - REMOVALOF COMMON BILE-DUCT STONES WITHOUT SPHINCTEROTOMY

Background and Sturdy Aims: Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPB D) is a less invasive alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). This study reviews a series of cirrhotic patients with bile duct stone s who were treated with EPBD. Patients and Methods: EPBD was used to r emove common bile duct stones in nine cirrhotic patients (one in Child -Pugh grade A, four in grade B, and four in grade C), After the papill a was dilated with balloon-tipped catheter, the stones were removed wi th a retrieval basket catheter or a retrieval balloon, or both, Mechan ical lithotripsy was required in two patients with stones of more than 1 cm in diameter. Results: Clearance of the common bile duct was achi eved in all patients without any serious complications such as hemorrh age or perforation. Conclusions: These results suggest that EPBD is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of common bile duct sto nes in patients with liver cirrhosis.