Efficacy of Percutaneous Treatment of CBD Stones Which Could Not be Removed by Per-oral Endoscopic Method

Background/Aims: Common bile duct (CBD) stones can be removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in most cases. In addition, surgery or stenting as well as percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) with lithotripsy can be used to remove CBD stones also. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous removal of CBD stones which could not be removed by per-oral endoscopic method. Methods: From Jan. 1998 to Sep. 2001, ERCP were tried to remove CBD stones in 395 patients. We reviewed causes of treatment failure through the peroral method and PTCS-results by the medical records and cholangiograms in 15 patients. Results: We successfully removed stones with PTCS in all 15 patients. The reasons for percutaneous approach were previous operation history in 8 (53.3%) and old age in 10 (66.7%). Mean number and size of stone were 4.4 and 17.413.1 mm, respectively. Complete fragmentation and removal of stones were achieved in a single session in 40%. Mean time to complete removal was 19 days. In 1 patient, bile peritonitis was developed but cured by conservative management alone. Conclusions: PTCS with or without lithoptripsy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of CBD stones which can not be removed by peroral endoscopic approach.