Initial large diameter of common bile duct is associated with long-term dilatation of bile duct after endoscopic extraction of stones.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the time and extent of recovery of dilated common bile duct (CBD) after the extraction of CBD stones and to identify the factors related to the long-term dilatation of the CBD after stone removal.

METHODS

Data of 329 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic extraction of CBD stones from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, 44 patients were enrolled in the study.

RESULTS

The CBD diameter significantly decreased after stone extraction (P < 0.001). However, the CBD diameter in patients who were followed up for 1 week and longer and <1 week did not differ significantly. The diameter decreased more in patients with an initial CBD diameter ≥ 15 mm than in those with an initial CBD diameter <15 mm before stone extraction (P = 0.007), but the normalization of dilated CBD was less frequent in patients with a large initial CBD diameter. The factors related to the long-term dilatation of CBD (>10 mm for >6 months) were initial CBD diameter, the largest diameter of CBD stone and endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation. Initial CBD diameter was an independent factor with multivariate analysis (OR 1.754, P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

The CBD diameter recovers rapidly after the extraction of CBD stones. An initial large CBD diameter before stone extraction is associated with the long-term dilatation of CBD.