Effect of Intermittent Saline Irrigation in Reducing Choledocholithiasis Recurrence After ERCP

In recent years, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the golden standard procedure to remove the common bile duct stones(CBD). Nevertheless, it is reported that the recurrence rate of CBD stones is 4% to 24% after ERCP. The contributing factors were periampullar diverticulum, situ gallbladder, and incomplete CBD stone clearance. The main reason of stone recurrence is incomplete CBD stone clearance including remnant stone fragments themselves and tinny fragments can act as a nidus for further CBD stone growth. It is difficult to retrieve these fine fragments completely using conventional devices such as retrieval basket and ballon. Therefore, the investigators attempt to remove residual stone fragments by means of saline infusion. Saline irrigation has many advantages such as better effect and less side effect and no extra cost. It is reported that use intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) to demonstrate residual CBD stones. However, IDUS has limited availability in clinical practice. The single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC)-system gains widespread acceptance because of its independent washing channels and direct viewing.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether saline solution irrigation would decrease the recurrent rate of choledocholithiasis after endoscopy retrieval stones.