M. Sugiyama et Y. Atomi, FOLLOW-UP OF MORE THAN 10 YEARS AFTER ENDOSCOPIC SPHINCTEROTOMY FOR CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS IN YOUNG-PATIENTS, British Journal of Surgery, 85(7), 1998, pp. 917-921
Background With the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the indica
tions for endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) have been extended to young p
atients with choledocholithiasis. However, the long-term results of ES
are largely unknown. Methods Between 1977 and 1986, 115 patients aged
60 years or less underwent ES for choledocholithiasis. Stone classifi
cation, and early and long-term outcomes of ES were analysed retrospec
tively. Results Early complications occurred in nine patients (7.8 per
cent), but there were no deaths. ES and stone clearance were successf
ul in 110 patients. Long-term information was available in 103 of the
110 patients, with a mean overall follow-up duration of 14.2 (range 10
.4-19.3) years. Ten patients (9.7 per cent) developed late complicatio
ns, including stone recurrence and/or cholangitis (nine patients) and
acute cholecystitis (one of 23 patients with the gallbladder in situ).
The choledochal complication rate was somewhat higher in patients wit
h calcium bilirubinate stones at ES (seven of 65 patients) than in tho
se with cholesterol stones (two of 38 patients). Choledochal complicat
ions were manageable endoscopically. Conclusion Approximately 10 per c
ent of patients develop late complications. However, endoscopic retrea
tment is safe and effective. ES is a reasonable method for treating ch
oledocholithiasis, even in young patients.