RESUMO
Objective To explore the long-term efficacy of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for choledocholithiasis and to evaluate the necessity of cholecystectomy after EST. Methods Two hundred and fifty seven patients who underwent EST for choledocholithiasis in 2006 were followed up for an average period of 34. 8 months (26-48 months). According to the existence of cholecystolithiasis, the patients were divided into group A (combined with cholecystolithiasis, n = 151) and group B (without cholecystolithiasis, n = 106) , and group A was further divided into group A1 as undergoing cholecystectomy after EST (n =56) and group A2 as not having cholecystectomy after EST ( n = 95). Results Of the 257 patients, late complications occurred in 31 patients (12. 1% ) , including recurrent choledocholithiasis in 25 (9.7% ), cholangitis in 27 (10. 1% ) , acute pancreatitis in 2 (0. 8% ) and cholangiocarcinoma in 1 (0.4% ). The rates of late complications and recurrent choledocholithiasis were significantly higher in group A2 than those in group A1 (P<0.05). Conclusion EST is safe and effective for choledocholithiasis. Cholecystectomy after EST is necessary in patients with cholecystolithiasis.