Published online Dec 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i48.9405
Revised: October 5, 2013
Accepted: November 3, 2013
Published online: December 28, 2013
Processing time: 169 Days and 0.7 Hours
AIM: To investigate the usefulness of a guide wire and triple lumen needle knife for removing stones in Billroth II (B-II) gastrectomy patients.
METHODS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with B-II gastrectomy is challenging. We used a new guide wire technique involving sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife through a forward-viewing endoscopy. This technique was performed in nine patients between August 2010 and June 2012. Sphincterotomy as described above was performed. Adequate sphincterotomy, successful stone removal, and complications were investigated prospectively.
RESULTS: Sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife using guide wire was successful in all nine patients. Sphincterotomy started towards the 4-5 o’clock direction and continued to the upper margin of the papillary roof. Complete stone removal in one session was achieved in all patients. There were no procedure related complications, such as bleeding, pancreatitis, or perforation.
CONCLUSION: In patients with B-II gastrectomy, guide wire using sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife through a forward-viewing endoscopy seems to be an effective and safe procedure for the removal of common bile duct stones.
Core tip: Guide wire using sphincterotomy by triple lumen needle knife through a forward-viewing endoscopy seems to be a safe, easy, and effective method for removing common bile duct stones in patients with B-II gastrectomy.