Risks of Postendoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis and Hyperamylasemia After Endoscopic Papillary Balloon Dilation: A Retrospective Analysis.

It is currently unclear whether endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) is associated with increased severe postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP)-related morbidity owing to conflicting reports. This study aimed to investigate whether EPBD increases the risk of PEP and hyperamylasemia. Clinical data of patients with choledocholithiasis, treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2015 to December 2016 were analyzed. Patients were divided into the EPBD group and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST)+EPBD group, and their characteristics and PEP and hyperamylasemia incidences were compared. Incidences related to dilated balloon diameter were also analyzed. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics and the incidences of PEP (2.6% vs. 0%; P=0.257) and hyperamylasemia (4.4% vs. 5.6%; P=0.954) between the 2 groups. Results were similar even with different balloon dilatations. EPBD without endoscopic sphincterotomy did not increase the risk of PEP and hyperamylasemia. It is a safe option for choledocholithiasis patients.