AIM To summarize the experience in the clinical treatment of the biliary ductal strictures complicating localized left hepatolithiasis in recent two decades.
AIM: To investigate the relationship between pancreatic amylase in bile duct and the clinico-pathological features in adult patients with choledochal cyst and anomalous pancreatico-biliary ductal union (APBDU).METHODS...AIM: To investigate the relationship between pancreatic amylase in bile duct and the clinico-pathological features in adult patients with choledochal cyst and anomalous pancreatico-biliary ductal union (APBDU).METHODS: From 39 patients who underwent surgery for choledochal cyst between March 1995 and March 2003,we selected 15 adult patients who had some symptoms and were radiologically diagnosed as APBDU, and their clinico-pathological features were subsequently evaluated retrospectively. However, we could not obtain biliary amylase in all the patients because of the surgeon's slip.Therefore, we measured the amylase level in gall bladder of 10 patients and in common bile duct of 11 patients.RESULTS: Levels of amylase in common bile duct and gall bladder ranged from 11 500 to 212 000 IU/L, and the younger the patients, the higher the biliary amylase level (r= -0.982, P＜0.01). Pathologically, significant correlation was found between the size of choledochal cyst and the grade of inflammation (r= 0.798,P＜0.01). And, significant correlation was found between the level of amylase in gall bladder and the grade of hyperplasia. On the other hand, there was no correlation to the age of symptomatic onset or inflammatory grade (r = 0.743, P＜0.05). Level of lipase was elevated from 6 000 to 159 000 IU/L in bile duct and from 14 400 to 117 000 IU/L in the gall bladder;however, there was no significant correlation with age or clinico-pathological features.CONCLUSION: The results support the notion that amylase has a particular role in the onset of symptoms, and suggest that a large amount of biliary amylase induces early onset of symptom, thereby making early diagnosis possible.展开更多
Since extrahepatic bile duct cancer is difficult to diagnose and to cure, a safe and radical surgical strategy is needed. In this review, the modes of infiltration and spread of extrahepatic bile duct cancer and surgi...Since extrahepatic bile duct cancer is difficult to diagnose and to cure, a safe and radical surgical strategy is needed. In this review, the modes of infiltration and spread of extrahepatic bile duct cancer and surgical strategy are discussed. Extended hemihepatectomy, with or without pancreatoduodenectomy （PD）, plus extrahepatic bile duct resection and regional lyrnphadenectomy has recently been recognized as the standard curative treatment for hilar bile duct cancer. On the other hand, PD is the choice of treatment for middle and distal bile duct cancer. Major hepatectomy concomitant with PD （hepatopancreatoduodenectomy） has been applied to selected patients with widespread tumors. Preoperative biliary drainage （BD） followed by portal vein embolization （PVE） enables major hepatectomy in patients with hilar bile duct cancer without mortality. BD should be performed considering the surgical procedure, especially, in patients with separated intrahepatic bile ducts caused by hilar bile duct cancer. Right or left trisectoriectomy are indicated according to the tumor spread and biliary anatomy. As a result, extended radical resection offers a chance for cure of hilar bile duct cancer with improved resectability, curability, and a 5-year survival rate of 40%. A 5-year survival rate has ranged from 24% to 39% after PD for middle and distal bile duct cancer.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the anatomic variations in the cystic artery by laparoscopy, and to provide a new classification system for the guidance of laparoscopic surgeons.METHODS： Six hundred patients treated with laparo...AIM： To investigate the anatomic variations in the cystic artery by laparoscopy, and to provide a new classification system for the guidance of laparoscopic surgeons.METHODS： Six hundred patients treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy from June 2005 to May 2006 were studied retrospectively, The laparoscope of 30° （Stryker, American） was applied, Anatomic structures of cystic artery and conditions of Calot＇s triangle under laparoscope were recorded respectively,RESULTS： Laparoscopy has revealed there are many anatomic variations of the cystic artery that occur frequently. Based on our experience with 600 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, we present a new classification of anatomic variations of the cystic artery, which can be divided into three groups： （1） Calot＇s triangle type, found in 513 patients （85.5%）; （2） outside Calot＇s triangle, found in 78 patients （13%）; （3） compound type, observed in 9 patients （1.5%）.CONCLUSION： Our classification of the anatomic variations of the cystic artery uncontrollable cystic artery extrahepatic bile duct injury. will be useful for decreasing hemorrhage, and avoiding extrahepatic bile duct injury.展开更多
AIMS To evaluate clinically the surgical procedures and their in- fluence on the prognosis of extrahepatic bile duct cancer. METHODS A total of 55 patients with pathologically and clini- cally verified extrahepatic bi...AIMS To evaluate clinically the surgical procedures and their in- fluence on the prognosis of extrahepatic bile duct cancer. METHODS A total of 55 patients with pathologically and clini- cally verified extrahepatic bile duct cancer treated in our depart- ment between January 1984 and December 1993 were retrospec- tively analyzed.Clinical courses with respect to the surgical pro- cedures employed and the survival period of these patients were followed up and compared. RESLUTS Of these patients,24 involved the upper third of ex- trahepatic biliary tract,12 the middle third,and 19 the lower third.Diagnosis of bile duct cancer was confirmed histopatholo- gically in 42 patients,with a clear predominance of adenocarcino- ma(97.6 percent).Eleven(26.2 percent)patients received cu- rative resection;30 received palliative procedures,i.e.,biliary- enteric bypass(n=14)and external drainage(n=16);6 re- ceived permanent PTCD alone and 8 received exploratory laparo- tomy only or conservative treatment.Forty-eight patients(87.3 percent)were followedup.The overall mean survival period was 10.8±9.7months(±s);patients with curative resection had the longest survival period(21.4±16.7 months,±s,P<0. 01)and highest survival rate(P<0.05);a significant survival difference was observed in patients with biliary-enteric anastomo- sis compared with those with external drainage,ect.(P<0. 05);but there was no significant difference in survival period be- tween patients having PTCD(n=23)and not(n=26)prior to surgery(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curactive resection is the treatment of choice for suitable patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer;biliary-en- teric anastomosis is preferable in those with unresectable tumor in order to improve the prognosis and quality of life.展开更多
AIM:To delineate indications and limitations for "ex tended" radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer:a procedure which was instituted in our department in 1982. METHODS:Of 145 patients who underwent a...AIM:To delineate indications and limitations for "ex tended" radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer:a procedure which was instituted in our department in 1982. METHODS:Of 145 patients who underwent a radi cal resection for gallbladder cancer from 1982 through 2006, 52 (36%) had an extended radical cholecystec tomy, which involved en bloc resection of the gallblad der, gallbladder fossa, extrahepatic bile duct, and the regional lymph nodes (first-and second-echelon node groups). A retrospective analysis of the 52 patients was conducted including at least 5 years of follow up. Residual tumor status was judged as no residual tumor (R0) or microscopic/macroscopic residual tumor (R1 2). athological findings were documented according tothe American Joint Committee on Cancer Cancer Stag ing anual (7th edition). RESULTS:he primary t mor as classified as patho-logical T1 (pT1) in 3 patients, pT2 in 36, pT3 in 12, and pT4 in 1. Twenty three patients had lymph node metastases; 11 had a single positive node, 4 had two positive nodes, and 8 had three or more positive nodes. None of the three patients with pT1 tumors had nodal disease, whereas 23 of 49 (47%) with pT2 or more advanced tumors had nodal disease. One patient died during the hospital stay for definitive resection, giv ing an in hospital mortality rate of 2%. Overall survival (OS) after extended radical cholecystectomy was 65% at 5 years and 53% at 10 years in all 52 patients. OS differed according to the p classification ( < 0.001) and the nodal status ( = 0.010). All of 3 patients with pT1 tumors and most (29 of 36) patients with pT2 tu mors survived for more than 5 years. Of 12 patients with pT3 tumors, 8 who had an R1 2 resection, distant metastasis, or extensive extrahepatic organ involve ment died soon after resection. Of the remaining four pT3 patients who had localized hepatic spread through the gallbladder fossa and underwent an R0 resection, 2 survived for more than 5 years and another survived for 4 years and 2 mo. The only patient with pT4 tumor died of disease soon after resection. Among 23 node positive patients, 11 survived for more than 5 years, and of these, 10 had a modest degree of nodal disease (one or two positive nodes). CONCLUSION:Extended radical cholecystectomy is indicated for pT2 tumors and some pT3 tumors with localized hepatic invasion, provided that the regional nodal disease is limited to a modest degree (up to two positive nodes). Extensive pT3 disease, pT4 disease, or marked nodal disease appears to be beyond the scope of this radical procedure.展开更多
Double common bile duct （DCBD） is a rare congenital anomaly in which two common bile ducts exist. One usually has normal drainage into the papilla duodeni major and the other usually named accessory common bile duct...Double common bile duct （DCBD） is a rare congenital anomaly in which two common bile ducts exist. One usually has normal drainage into the papilla duodeni major and the other usually named accessory common bile duct （ACBD） opens in different parts of upper gastrointestinal tract （stomach, duodenum, ductus pancreaticus or septum）. This anomaly is of great importance since it is often associated with biliary lithiasis, choledochal cyst, anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction （APBJ） and upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies. We recently recognized a rare case of DCBD associated with APB3 with lithiasis in better developed common bile duct. The opening site of ACBD was in the pancreatic duct. The anomaly was suspected by transabdominal ultrasonography and finally confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） followed by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction. According to the literature, the existence of DCBD with the opening of ACBD in the pancreatic duct is most frequently associated with APB3 and gallbladder carcinoma. In case of DCBD, the opening site of ACBD is of greatest clinical importance because of its close implications with concomitant pathology. The adequate diagnosis of this rare anomaly is significant since the operative complications may occur in cases with DCBD which is not recognized prior to surgical treatment.展开更多
AIM： To evaluate survival rate and clinical outcome of cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS： The medical records of 34 patients with cholangiocarcinoma, seen at a single hospital between the years 1999-2006, were retrospecti...AIM： To evaluate survival rate and clinical outcome of cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS： The medical records of 34 patients with cholangiocarcinoma, seen at a single hospital between the years 1999-2006, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS： Thirty-four patients with a median age of 75 years were included. Seventeen （50%） had painless jaundice at presentation. Sixteen （47.1%） were perihilar, 15 （44.1%） extrahepatic and three （8.8%） intrahepatic. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography （ERCP） and/or magnetic resonance cholangiography （MRCP） were used for the diagnosis. Pathologic confirmation was obtained in seven and positive cytological examination in three. Thirteen patients had co-morbidities （38.2%）. Four cases were managed with complete surgical resection. All the rest of the cases （30） were characterized as non-resectable due to advanced stage of the disease. Palliative biliary drainage was performed in 26/30 （86.6%）. The mean follow-up was 32 mo （95% CI, 20-43 too）. Overall median survival was 8.7 mo （95% CI, 2-16 mo）. The probability of 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival was 46%, 20% and 7%, respectively. The survival was slightly longer in patients who underwent resection compared to those who did not, but this difference failed to reach statistical significance. Patients who underwent biliary drainage had an advantage in survival compared to those who did not （probability of survival 53% vs 0% at 1 year, respectively, P = 0.038）. CONCLUSION： Patients with cholangiocarcinoma were usually elderly with co-morbidities and/oradvanced disease at presentation. Even though a slight amelioration in survival with palliative biliary drainage was observed, patients had dismal outcome without resection of the tumor.展开更多
AIM:Considerable controversy surrounds the adoption of endoscopic sphincterotomy(ES)to facilitate the placement of 10F plastic stents(PS)and to reduce the risk of pancreatitis The aim of the study was to assess the po...AIM:Considerable controversy surrounds the adoption of endoscopic sphincterotomy(ES)to facilitate the placement of 10F plastic stents(PS)and to reduce the risk of pancreatitis The aim of the study was to assess the possible advantages of ES before PS placement. METHODS:From 3/1996 to 6/2001,172 consecutive patients, who underwent placement of a single 10F-polyethylene stent for inoperable malignant strictures of the common bile duct,were randomly assigned to 2 groups.In group A(96 patients),a ES was performed before PS placement In Group B,96 patients had PS directly.Early complications(within 30 d)and late effects(from 30 d to stent replacement)were assessed.Patency interval was defined as the period between PS placement and obstruction or death.The success of stent replacement in the 2 groups was evaluated. RESULTS:Stent insertion was successful in 95.8%(92/96) of the pts in group A and in 93.7%(90/96)of the patients in group B(P>0.05).Early complications were more frequent in patients who underwent ES(6.5% vs4.4%)but the data were not significant(P>0.05).In group A pancreatitis developed in two patients and bleeding in three;whereas pancreatitis occurred in 2 patients in group B.Complications were managed conservatively.No procedure related mortality occurred.All late complications were acute cholangitis due to stent occlusion.We performed a stent replacement in 87 patients that was successful in 84 cases without differences between groups. CONCLUSION:Sphincterotomy does not seem to be necessary for placement of 10F-PS in patients with malignant common bile duct obstruction.展开更多
文摘AIM To summarize the experience in the clinical treatment of the biliary ductal strictures complicating localized left hepatolithiasis in recent two decades.
文摘AIM: To investigate the relationship between pancreatic amylase in bile duct and the clinico-pathological features in adult patients with choledochal cyst and anomalous pancreatico-biliary ductal union (APBDU).METHODS: From 39 patients who underwent surgery for choledochal cyst between March 1995 and March 2003,we selected 15 adult patients who had some symptoms and were radiologically diagnosed as APBDU, and their clinico-pathological features were subsequently evaluated retrospectively. However, we could not obtain biliary amylase in all the patients because of the surgeon's slip.Therefore, we measured the amylase level in gall bladder of 10 patients and in common bile duct of 11 patients.RESULTS: Levels of amylase in common bile duct and gall bladder ranged from 11 500 to 212 000 IU/L, and the younger the patients, the higher the biliary amylase level (r= -0.982, P＜0.01). Pathologically, significant correlation was found between the size of choledochal cyst and the grade of inflammation (r= 0.798,P＜0.01). And, significant correlation was found between the level of amylase in gall bladder and the grade of hyperplasia. On the other hand, there was no correlation to the age of symptomatic onset or inflammatory grade (r = 0.743, P＜0.05). Level of lipase was elevated from 6 000 to 159 000 IU/L in bile duct and from 14 400 to 117 000 IU/L in the gall bladder;however, there was no significant correlation with age or clinico-pathological features.CONCLUSION: The results support the notion that amylase has a particular role in the onset of symptoms, and suggest that a large amount of biliary amylase induces early onset of symptom, thereby making early diagnosis possible.
文摘Since extrahepatic bile duct cancer is difficult to diagnose and to cure, a safe and radical surgical strategy is needed. In this review, the modes of infiltration and spread of extrahepatic bile duct cancer and surgical strategy are discussed. Extended hemihepatectomy, with or without pancreatoduodenectomy （PD）, plus extrahepatic bile duct resection and regional lyrnphadenectomy has recently been recognized as the standard curative treatment for hilar bile duct cancer. On the other hand, PD is the choice of treatment for middle and distal bile duct cancer. Major hepatectomy concomitant with PD （hepatopancreatoduodenectomy） has been applied to selected patients with widespread tumors. Preoperative biliary drainage （BD） followed by portal vein embolization （PVE） enables major hepatectomy in patients with hilar bile duct cancer without mortality. BD should be performed considering the surgical procedure, especially, in patients with separated intrahepatic bile ducts caused by hilar bile duct cancer. Right or left trisectoriectomy are indicated according to the tumor spread and biliary anatomy. As a result, extended radical resection offers a chance for cure of hilar bile duct cancer with improved resectability, curability, and a 5-year survival rate of 40%. A 5-year survival rate has ranged from 24% to 39% after PD for middle and distal bile duct cancer.
文摘AIM： To investigate the anatomic variations in the cystic artery by laparoscopy, and to provide a new classification system for the guidance of laparoscopic surgeons.METHODS： Six hundred patients treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy from June 2005 to May 2006 were studied retrospectively, The laparoscope of 30° （Stryker, American） was applied, Anatomic structures of cystic artery and conditions of Calot＇s triangle under laparoscope were recorded respectively,RESULTS： Laparoscopy has revealed there are many anatomic variations of the cystic artery that occur frequently. Based on our experience with 600 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, we present a new classification of anatomic variations of the cystic artery, which can be divided into three groups： （1） Calot＇s triangle type, found in 513 patients （85.5%）; （2） outside Calot＇s triangle, found in 78 patients （13%）; （3） compound type, observed in 9 patients （1.5%）.CONCLUSION： Our classification of the anatomic variations of the cystic artery uncontrollable cystic artery extrahepatic bile duct injury. will be useful for decreasing hemorrhage, and avoiding extrahepatic bile duct injury.
文摘AIMS To evaluate clinically the surgical procedures and their in- fluence on the prognosis of extrahepatic bile duct cancer. METHODS A total of 55 patients with pathologically and clini- cally verified extrahepatic bile duct cancer treated in our depart- ment between January 1984 and December 1993 were retrospec- tively analyzed.Clinical courses with respect to the surgical pro- cedures employed and the survival period of these patients were followed up and compared. RESLUTS Of these patients,24 involved the upper third of ex- trahepatic biliary tract,12 the middle third,and 19 the lower third.Diagnosis of bile duct cancer was confirmed histopatholo- gically in 42 patients,with a clear predominance of adenocarcino- ma(97.6 percent).Eleven(26.2 percent)patients received cu- rative resection;30 received palliative procedures,i.e.,biliary- enteric bypass(n=14)and external drainage(n=16);6 re- ceived permanent PTCD alone and 8 received exploratory laparo- tomy only or conservative treatment.Forty-eight patients(87.3 percent)were followedup.The overall mean survival period was 10.8±9.7months(±s);patients with curative resection had the longest survival period(21.4±16.7 months,±s,P<0. 01)and highest survival rate(P<0.05);a significant survival difference was observed in patients with biliary-enteric anastomo- sis compared with those with external drainage,ect.(P<0. 05);but there was no significant difference in survival period be- tween patients having PTCD(n=23)and not(n=26)prior to surgery(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curactive resection is the treatment of choice for suitable patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer;biliary-en- teric anastomosis is preferable in those with unresectable tumor in order to improve the prognosis and quality of life.
基金Supported by A grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture,Sports, Science and Technology in Japan (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research, No. 23592004)
文摘AIM:To delineate indications and limitations for "ex tended" radical cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer:a procedure which was instituted in our department in 1982. METHODS:Of 145 patients who underwent a radi cal resection for gallbladder cancer from 1982 through 2006, 52 (36%) had an extended radical cholecystec tomy, which involved en bloc resection of the gallblad der, gallbladder fossa, extrahepatic bile duct, and the regional lymph nodes (first-and second-echelon node groups). A retrospective analysis of the 52 patients was conducted including at least 5 years of follow up. Residual tumor status was judged as no residual tumor (R0) or microscopic/macroscopic residual tumor (R1 2). athological findings were documented according tothe American Joint Committee on Cancer Cancer Stag ing anual (7th edition). RESULTS:he primary t mor as classified as patho-logical T1 (pT1) in 3 patients, pT2 in 36, pT3 in 12, and pT4 in 1. Twenty three patients had lymph node metastases; 11 had a single positive node, 4 had two positive nodes, and 8 had three or more positive nodes. None of the three patients with pT1 tumors had nodal disease, whereas 23 of 49 (47%) with pT2 or more advanced tumors had nodal disease. One patient died during the hospital stay for definitive resection, giv ing an in hospital mortality rate of 2%. Overall survival (OS) after extended radical cholecystectomy was 65% at 5 years and 53% at 10 years in all 52 patients. OS differed according to the p classification ( < 0.001) and the nodal status ( = 0.010). All of 3 patients with pT1 tumors and most (29 of 36) patients with pT2 tu mors survived for more than 5 years. Of 12 patients with pT3 tumors, 8 who had an R1 2 resection, distant metastasis, or extensive extrahepatic organ involve ment died soon after resection. Of the remaining four pT3 patients who had localized hepatic spread through the gallbladder fossa and underwent an R0 resection, 2 survived for more than 5 years and another survived for 4 years and 2 mo. The only patient with pT4 tumor died of disease soon after resection. Among 23 node positive patients, 11 survived for more than 5 years, and of these, 10 had a modest degree of nodal disease (one or two positive nodes). CONCLUSION:Extended radical cholecystectomy is indicated for pT2 tumors and some pT3 tumors with localized hepatic invasion, provided that the regional nodal disease is limited to a modest degree (up to two positive nodes). Extensive pT3 disease, pT4 disease, or marked nodal disease appears to be beyond the scope of this radical procedure.
文摘Double common bile duct （DCBD） is a rare congenital anomaly in which two common bile ducts exist. One usually has normal drainage into the papilla duodeni major and the other usually named accessory common bile duct （ACBD） opens in different parts of upper gastrointestinal tract （stomach, duodenum, ductus pancreaticus or septum）. This anomaly is of great importance since it is often associated with biliary lithiasis, choledochal cyst, anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction （APBJ） and upper gastrointestinal tract malignancies. We recently recognized a rare case of DCBD associated with APB3 with lithiasis in better developed common bile duct. The opening site of ACBD was in the pancreatic duct. The anomaly was suspected by transabdominal ultrasonography and finally confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） followed by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction. According to the literature, the existence of DCBD with the opening of ACBD in the pancreatic duct is most frequently associated with APB3 and gallbladder carcinoma. In case of DCBD, the opening site of ACBD is of greatest clinical importance because of its close implications with concomitant pathology. The adequate diagnosis of this rare anomaly is significant since the operative complications may occur in cases with DCBD which is not recognized prior to surgical treatment.
文摘AIM： To evaluate survival rate and clinical outcome of cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS： The medical records of 34 patients with cholangiocarcinoma, seen at a single hospital between the years 1999-2006, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS： Thirty-four patients with a median age of 75 years were included. Seventeen （50%） had painless jaundice at presentation. Sixteen （47.1%） were perihilar, 15 （44.1%） extrahepatic and three （8.8%） intrahepatic. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography （ERCP） and/or magnetic resonance cholangiography （MRCP） were used for the diagnosis. Pathologic confirmation was obtained in seven and positive cytological examination in three. Thirteen patients had co-morbidities （38.2%）. Four cases were managed with complete surgical resection. All the rest of the cases （30） were characterized as non-resectable due to advanced stage of the disease. Palliative biliary drainage was performed in 26/30 （86.6%）. The mean follow-up was 32 mo （95% CI, 20-43 too）. Overall median survival was 8.7 mo （95% CI, 2-16 mo）. The probability of 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival was 46%, 20% and 7%, respectively. The survival was slightly longer in patients who underwent resection compared to those who did not, but this difference failed to reach statistical significance. Patients who underwent biliary drainage had an advantage in survival compared to those who did not （probability of survival 53% vs 0% at 1 year, respectively, P = 0.038）. CONCLUSION： Patients with cholangiocarcinoma were usually elderly with co-morbidities and/oradvanced disease at presentation. Even though a slight amelioration in survival with palliative biliary drainage was observed, patients had dismal outcome without resection of the tumor.
文摘AIM:Considerable controversy surrounds the adoption of endoscopic sphincterotomy(ES)to facilitate the placement of 10F plastic stents(PS)and to reduce the risk of pancreatitis The aim of the study was to assess the possible advantages of ES before PS placement. METHODS:From 3/1996 to 6/2001,172 consecutive patients, who underwent placement of a single 10F-polyethylene stent for inoperable malignant strictures of the common bile duct,were randomly assigned to 2 groups.In group A(96 patients),a ES was performed before PS placement In Group B,96 patients had PS directly.Early complications(within 30 d)and late effects(from 30 d to stent replacement)were assessed.Patency interval was defined as the period between PS placement and obstruction or death.The success of stent replacement in the 2 groups was evaluated. RESULTS:Stent insertion was successful in 95.8%(92/96) of the pts in group A and in 93.7%(90/96)of the patients in group B(P>0.05).Early complications were more frequent in patients who underwent ES(6.5% vs4.4%)but the data were not significant(P>0.05).In group A pancreatitis developed in two patients and bleeding in three;whereas pancreatitis occurred in 2 patients in group B.Complications were managed conservatively.No procedure related mortality occurred.All late complications were acute cholangitis due to stent occlusion.We performed a stent replacement in 87 patients that was successful in 84 cases without differences between groups. CONCLUSION:Sphincterotomy does not seem to be necessary for placement of 10F-PS in patients with malignant common bile duct obstruction.
