ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Residual and recurrent bile duct stones after biliary surgery cause many difficult problems. and reoperation on biliary tract has limitation due to its high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, various non-operative modalities for management in residual and recurrent stone have been developed. METHODS: We analyzed 69 cases of residual and recurrent bile duct stones which were managed with non-operative modalities at the Department of surgery, Dae Dong Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1997, and evaluated the efficacy of these modalities. RESULTS: Female exceeded male with a ratio 1.76:1. and the peak incidence of age group was 6th decade. The most common diagnostic procedure was T-tube cholangiography (53.6%). Interval between previous operation and second procedure for residual or recurrent stones was within 6 months in most cases (82%). Cholecystectomy with T-tube choledochostomy was performed most frequently in previous operation. Residual and recurrent stones were found only at common bile duct in 34 cases (49.3%) most commonly. Common bile duct stones were managed most frequently with endoscopic sphincterotomy (39.5%), but the complete removal rate was heighest in choledochoscopic stone removal (100%). Complete removal rate of intrahepatic duct stone was heighest with interventional radiologic stone removal as well as choledochoscopic stone removal (43.6%), but average number of session was smaller in choledochoscopic stone removal (2.5) than interventional radiologic stone removal (3.5). Associated complication with non-operative management modalities were very low, except three cases of hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy. The latter required reoperation due to continuous bile fistula in two cases, and long jejunal loop in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Choledochoscopic stone removal is most effective method in the management of residual and recurrent bile duct stones.