ASGE Postgraduate Course at ACG 2022: Expanding the Scope of Fundamental and Advanced Endoscopy | October 2022-Point Counterpoint: Go to the Source: Cholangioscopy for Bile Duct Stones

Point Counterpoint: Go to the Source: Cholangioscopy for Bile Duct Stones

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Raj Shah from the University of Colorado discusses the use of cholangioscopy for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones. He highlights a randomized trial comparing sphincterotomy alone to sphincterotomy with large balloon dilation, which showed a good success rate with sphincterotomy alone. Shah argues that referring patients for surgery to address difficult biliary stones is antiquated and unnecessary in 2022. He presents cases and data showing the benefits of cholangioscopy, including higher stone clearance rates compared to conventional therapies. Shah acknowledges the risk of complications, such as bile duct perforation, but emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing them. He concludes that cholangioscopy is a superior and cost-effective technique for difficult bile duct stone clearance.

Asset Subtitle

Raj J. Shah, MD, MASGE, FACG

Keywords

cholangioscopy

bile duct stones

sphincterotomy

large balloon dilation

difficult biliary stones