[Endoscopic papillotomy in benign papillary stenosis].

Since 1977 endoscopic sphincterotomy has been indicated in 18 patients because of benign papillary stenosis. In 17 patients cholecystectomy had been performed some time before. The sphincterotomy was successful in 15 patients. In one patient slight bleeding occurred. In 2 of 3 patients in whom sphincterotomy did not succeed, the endoscopic procedure was complicated by cholangitis and pancreatitis respectively. 12 of the 15 patients in whom sphincterotomy was successful were symptom-free over a median period of 21 months. Therefore, endoscopic sphincterotomy appears to be an effective treatment for benign papillary stenosis and is a low-risk procedure compared with surgical sphincterotomy.