A sphincterotome-based technique for selective transpapillary common bile duct cannulation.

Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) requires selective cannulation of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. Selective common bile and pancreatic duct cannulation with standard techniques can be achieved in most but not all cases even in experienced centers. To facilitate selective cannulation, sphincterotomes can be used.
Methods: A prospective randomized study aimed at selective deep cannulation of the common bile and pancreatic ducts comparing different ERCP procedures was performed. One hundred patients were randomly assigned to undergo cannulation with a standard catheter or with a guidewire sphincterotome (GS) without guidewire.
Results: The primary success rate of selective common bile duct cannulation was significantly higher in the GS group (84%) as compared with the standard catheter group (62%) (p = 0.023). In patients with primary standard catheter failure, selective common bile duct cannulation was possible in 16 patients using a GS which increased the total success rate in the standard catheter group to 94% (p < 0.001). In GS failures selective common bile duct cannulation was possible in two patients using a standard catheter and increased the total success rate from 84% to 88%. The frequency of postinterventional pancreatitis did not differ significantly between the two groups.
Conclusions: ERCP using a GS without guidewire has a significantly higher primary success rate for selective common bile duct cannulation then ERCP using a standard catheter. The use of a GS should be considered to optimize selective cannulation of the common bile duct before resorting to precut techniques.