Management of common bile duct stones after cholecystectomy

ABSTRACT

Non-surgical management was attempted as the first line of treatment in 39 patients presenting with stone [s] in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy. Of these, 12 patients presented with a T-tube. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was successful in 31 patients [79.5%] to achieve clearance of the common bile duct. In patients with the T-tube still in place, and in whom endoscopic sphincterotomy has failed, attempts at removal of the stones via the T-tube tract were successful in 3 out of 4 patients. Surgical intervention was indicated in only 6 cases [15%] 5 patients after failure of non-surgical management and the sixth patient was operated upon to deal with bleeding after sphincterotomy