Large balloon dilation vs. mechanical lithotripsy for the management of large bile duct stones: a prospective randomized study
Abstract
Common bile duct stone (CBDS) is a common disorder of the biliary tract and often necessitates intervention to prevent biliary complications. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and balloon stone extraction remain to be the standard treatment for CBDS. For large stones (>12mm), removal may be challenging. After sphincterotomy, use of mechanical lithotripsy (ML) has been widely used for clearance of large stone in the last 3 decades. Large balloon dilatation (LBD) is also established as a highly successful method of removing CBDS. This present study aims to determine which procedure is more effective and safer in clearing common bile duct stones.
This paper has been withdrawn.