Failed Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Stone Extraction: Surgical Interference Versus Follow up on Stent.

Gallstones are a very common problem in developed countries. Most patients with gallstones remain asymptomatic throughout their lifetime, but 10 % - 25 % of them may develop biliary pain or complications, with an annual risk of about 2 % - 3 % for symptomatic disease and 1 % - 2 % for major complications. The development of symptomatic disease and complications is mostly related to the migration of stones into the common bile duct (CBD). Common bile duct stones (CBDSs) may be treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or surgically during cholecystectomy. Removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones can still be difficult in patients with large or multiple stones despite an adequate sphincterotomy. Procedures such as mechanical, extracorporeal, electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy, and chemical dissolution have been introduced as effective therapeutic interventions for irretrievable CBD stones. However, these techniques have their drawbacks, are not widely available, or are still under clinical evaluation. Several studies have shown that insertion of an endoscopic biliary stent is a safe, effective, and widely available measure. An indwelling stent provides biliary drainage and fragments large stones, thereby reducing the risk of cholangitis and allowing stones to pass spontaneously or rendering them more extractable at a later procedure. Thus, this study intends to shed a light on advances in diagnosis and management in patients with biliary difficult stones.