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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 28, 2014; 20(24): 7760-7766
Published online Jun 28, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i24.7760
Large balloon dilation post endoscopic sphincterotomy in removal of difficult common bile duct stones: A literature review
Olivier Rouquette, Gilles Bommelaer, Armando Abergel, Laurent Poincloux
Olivier Rouquette, Gilles Bommelaer, Armando Abergel, Laurent Poincloux, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, CHU Estaing, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Author contributions: Rouquette O and Poincloux L collected data and drafted the article; Bommelaer G and Abergel A revised the paper.
Correspondence to: Olivier Rouquette, MD, Digestive Endoscopy Unit, CHU Estaing, 1 Pl Lucie et Raymond Aubrac, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France. orouquette@chu-clermontferrand.fr
Telephone: +33-473-750523 Fax: +33-473-750524
Received: November 1, 2013
Revised: January 27, 2014
Accepted: March 12, 2014
Published online: June 28, 2014
Processing time: 241 Days and 4.6 Hours
Core Tip

Core tip: Endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by large balloon dilation is actually routinely performed in difficult stones extraction. The efficacy and safety of this procedure has been evaluated in thirty-two original studies published in English. Severe adverse events have been reported. This review describes indications, efficacy, morbidity and technical aspects of this procedure and tries to provide helpful data to the endoscopists in order to improve patient outcomes.