Endoscopic Sphincterotomy of the Ampulla of Vater

Abstract

A 44-year-old woman was admitted with severe epigastric pain and jaundice seven months after cholecystectomy. Retrograde cholangiography revealed a solitary floating stone in the common bile duct. Endoscopic electrosurgical papillotomy was successfully performed and the stone was extracted with a basket-tipped catheter. During a total of 11 papillotomies no complications were noted. Of these cases stones were completely removed in 7. Follow-up observations were negative in regard to stenosis, secondary inflammation of the bile ducts or reflux pancreatitis.