The Comparisons of One-stage Stone Removal in Mild and Moderate Cholangitis

Division of Hepato-gastroenterology; Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung,Taiwan

In expert comment, performing the sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis with acute cholangitis may increase bleeding and pancreatitis risks (from 2% to 10%). Therefore, investigators often perform biliary drainage in acute stage, and arrange 2nd session ERCP for stone removal later. However, in the recent study, single-stage endoscopic treatment may be still effective (stone removal rate 90%) and safe for mild to moderate acute cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis. Investigators will carry out a prospective trial to analyze one-stage retrograde endoscopic common bile duct stone removal in mild and moderate cholangitis with choledocholithiasis to determine the safety, successful rate, and complications in these two groups.

Investigators will enroll 204 naïve papilla with a body temperature ≥37 °C who was diagnosed with mild to moderate cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis. The method of one-stage: performing the stone removal at the first session of ERCP. The pancreas duct stent will be placed for preventing post ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) if necessary. The indomethacin 100mg anal route will be administered for all patients without allergy history. All participants will receive the empiric antibiotics treatment for cholangitis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• naïve papilla with a body temperature ≥37 °C who was diagnosed with mild to moderate cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• procedural failure requiring an anatomy-modifying procedure, such as a Billroth II subtotal gastrectomy or R-en-Y gastrojejunostomy ;
• stenosis of the pyloric ring ;
• tumor-related obstruction;
• failure to locate the papilla ;
• active peptic ulcer bleeding ;
• intolerance due to inadequate sedation
• CBD sludge;
• non-naïve papilla in ERCP