ABSTRACT
Endoscopic sphincterotomy (E.S.T.) has relatively low complications and is the theraphy of choice in patients with common bile duct stones. It is also an useful technique for decompression of biliary tract obstruction. Thirty two cases of patients were selected according to opedrative risks: old age, severe jaundice and recurrent or retained bile duct stones after cholecystecomy from 1986 to 1988. The results were as follows, 1) In thirty two cases nf E.S.T., male to female ratio was 1:1.46. Most frequent age was older than 40 years. (male, 84.6%, female, 84.2%). 2) Out of thirty two cases, 20 cases (62.5% were under post clholecystectomy state, 12 eases (37.5%) were obstructive jaundice. 3) Spontaneous stone passage after E.S.T. was 81.3% (26 cases), and total stone remoral rate was 87.5% (28 cases), 4) Complications of E.S.T. were noted in three cases. In the two cases of bleeding, it was spontaneously improved and a case of acute pancreatitis was treated by medical care.