Endoscopic management of biliary calculi.

In a logical extension of the diagnostic capability of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a number of procedures have been developed to relieve biliary tract obstruction, with the indication for each depending mainly on stone size. Thus the smallest stones can be flushed or extracted through an intact papilla of Vater, larger ones after the papilla or sphincters are cut endoscopically. Clinical results are detailed.