Needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy avoids postprocedure pancreatitis in patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of biliary type II: a report of three cases

Surg Endosc. 2004 May;18(5):868-70. doi: 10.1007/s00464-003-4269-y. Epub 2004 Feb 2.

Abstract

We report the cases of three patients who fulfilled the criteria for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of biliary type II and underwent needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy. These patients presented with episodes of biliary-type pain after cholecystectomy and significant elevation of liver enzymes. Ultrasonography and MRI cholangiography revealed dilatation of the common bile duct, without visible stones. The patients all underwent needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy because free cannulation of the common bile duct could not be achieved. Needle-knife suprapapillary sphincterotomy enabled catheterization of the common bile duct. After clearing of the common bile duct with a balloon catheter, no stones, fragments of stones, or sludge were observed to exit from the sphincterotomy. None of our patients developed postprocedure pancreatitis. When needle-knife suprapillary sphincterotomy is performed by an experienced biliary endoscopist, it is a safe and effective procedure for patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of biliary type II, who otherwise constitute a high-risk group for the development of postsphincterotomy pancreatitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Catheterization
  • Common Bile Duct Diseases / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreatitis / etiology
  • Pancreatitis / prevention & control
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Sphincter of Oddi*
  • Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic* / adverse effects
  • Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic* / methods