Comparison of 12- and 15-mm endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation combined with a limited endoscopic sphincterotomy for large bile duct stones: A propensity score-matched analysis

Background and study aims

Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) has been increasingly used to remove large common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, the clinical outcomes of stone extraction have rarely been investigated in regard to the size of the balloon. The aim of this study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of 12- and 15-mm EPLBD with a limited EST for large CBD stones.

Patients and methods

Patients without prior endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) who received 12- or 15-mm EPLBD in combination with a limited EST for large CBD stones at our center between January 2013 and December 2020 were recruited. Matched pairs with 12- and 15-mm EPLBD were generated.

Results

A total of 161 patients were included, with 50 patients successfully matched in each group. The total procedure time (36.8 min vs. 47.3 min, p = 0.003) and the tone removal time (30.5 min vs. 39.2 min, p = 0.008) were significantly lower in the matched 15-mm EPLBD group, while the initial and overall stone removal success rates were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). The matched 15-mm EPLBD group had a lower incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) compared to the matched 12-mm EPLBD group (2.0 % vs. 16.0 %, p = 0.031). The cumulative long-term biliary complications were not statistically different between the two groups (log-rank test p = 0.612).

Conclusion

15-mm EPLBD combined with a limited EST shortened the procedure time and reduced the incidence of PEP without increasing long-term biliary complications compared to 12-mm EPLBD combined with a limited EST.