Overview of Endoscopic Sphincterotomy for Common Bile Duct Stone

Abstract

Endoscopic sphincterotomy is a therapeutic modality by which smooth muscle fibers constituting the sphincter choledochus is incised using electrocautery. The papillary orifice thus enlarged facilitates introduction of a variety of auxiliary instruments into the bile duct for crushing and removing bile duct stones and placing stents or tubes to establish biliary drainage. It is now widely accepted as the therapy of choice for the management of common bile duct stones in postcholecystectomy patients. With extensive worldwide experience, endoscopic sphincterotomy seems to be a relatively safe therapeutic modality that can be performed under mild sedation avoiding general anesthesia. It is associated with a mortality rate of approximately 1% and a morbidity rate of about 10%.