Published online May 25, 2016. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v8.i10.395
Peer-review started: February 21, 2016
First decision: March 9, 2016
Revised: March 17, 2016
Accepted: April 7, 2016
Article in press: April 11, 2016
Published online: May 25, 2016
Processing time: 89 Days and 3.6 Hours
Endoscopic treatment for bile duct stones is low-invasive and currently considered as the first choice of the treatment. For the treatment of bile duct stones, papillary treatment is necessary, and the treatments used at the time are broadly classified into two types; endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation where bile duct closing part is dilated with a balloon and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) where bile duct closing part is incised. Both procedures have advantages and disadvantages. Golden standard is EST, however, there are patients with difficulty for EST, thus we must select the procedure based on understanding of the characteristics of the procedure, and patient backgrounds.
Core tip: For the treatment of the bile duct stones, it is necessary to perform papillary treatment, and the treatment used at the time are broadly classified into two groups such as endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). Golden standard is EST, however, there are patients with difficulty for EST, thus we must select the procedure based on understanding of the characteristics of the procedure, and patient backgrounds.