Comparison of Complication between Automatically Controlled Cut System (Endocut) and Conventional Blended Cut Current over Endoscopic Sphincterotomy

Background/Aims: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is a common therapeutic technique for biliary and pancreatic diseases. However, it is associated with complications such as bleeding, pancreatitis, and perforation. Automatically controlled cut system (Endocut) is known to reduce the level of hemorrhage but lead to pancreatitis. This study examined whether or not the Endocut can reduce the rate of complications of EST compared with that of the conventional blended cut current. Methods: From September 2005 to July 2006, 519 patients were treated with EST using either Endocut (ERBE VIO 300D, 144 patients) or the conventional blended cut current (Olympus UES-30, 375 patients). Two groups were compared retrospectively for the complications of EST. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, and the indications for EST between the two groups. Endoscopically observed bleeding and clinically evident bleeding occurred in 6.9% (10/144), 1.4% (2/144) in the Endocut group and 8.5% (31/375), 2.2% (8/375) in the conventional blended cut current group, respectively (p=0.62 and 0.58, respectively). Clinical bleeding occurred in 2 patients in the Endocut group but it was mild and easily controlled by endoscopic treatment. Mild, moderate, and severe clinical bleeding occurred in 3, 4, and 1 patient in the blended group, respectively. Pancreatitis was encountered in 6.0% (8/134) of the Endocut group and in 5.7% (21/352) of the blended group (p=0.83). Perforation only occurred in 2 patients in the blended group. Conclusions: There were a similar number of complications from EST in the Endocut and conventional blended cut current groups. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2007;34:256-262)