Endoscopic Treatment of Difficult Bile Duct Stones: Spyglass + EHL x Balloon Dilation of the Papilla

Endoscopic Treatment of Difficult Bile Duct Stones: Use of Direct Visualization System ("Spyglass Direct Visualization System") Associated With Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy (EHL) X Hydrostatic Balloon Dilation of the Major Duodenal Papilla

This study compare 2 techniques to treat difficult bile duct stones endoscopically

Before enrollment of the patients into the study, the two investigators, EGHM and TAPF, will perform 10 complete cases each of ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) + SPYGLASS + EHL, to get more experience with the methods.

This will be a comparative study of methods, prospective, randomized study assessing the successful removal of bile duct stones considered to be difficult between the two proposed methods. A total of 100 patients will be recruited, according to the criteria for inclusion / exclusion of Appendix I. Randomization will be performed using a computer generated system. Fifty patients will be distributed in group 1 (Spyglass + electrohydraulic lithotripsy) and fifty in group 2 (with hydrostatic balloon dilation of the papilla with a extractor balloon sweep). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) will be performed, and after the diagnosis of difficult stone, will be followed by randomization between the two proposed methods. In group 1, the examination with the Direct Visualization System of Bile Ducts ("Spyglass Direct Visualization System") will be held soon after the diagnosis of difficult stone and partial endoscopic papillotomy. After access to the biliary duct with the system described, and the visualization of the stone, it will be introduced gently through the working channel of a spyglass the probe to perform the electrohydraulic lithotripsy. When the fragmentation is complete the system spyglass will be removed and the pieces of stone are removed by conventional endoscopic methods. In group 2, after the diagnosis of difficult calculi and performing the partial endoscopic papillotomy, the papilla (as with papillotomy) will be dilated with a hydrostatic balloon until the maximum size allowed by the diameter of common bile duct, followed by scanning with extractor balloon. In both groups, the stone clearance will be confirmed using Spyglass cholangioscopic exploration of the bile duct. In case of failure in stone removal by some of the methods studied, it will be performed biliary drainage with plastic stent.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Over 18 years
• Able to give consent
• Submitted to the examination of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), with identification of stones in the bile duct considered difficult.
• Agreed and signed the Term of Consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age below 18 years
• Incapable of giving consent
• Pregnant
• Gastrointestinal bypass surgery with previous reconstructions as a Billroth II or Roux-en-Y
• Patients with signs of severe acute cholangitis requiring biliary drainage with fast plastic stent and minimal or no contrast infusion
• Patients with previous liver transplantation