Abstract
Background and study aims Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the mainstay for treatment
of choledocholithiasis. It is unclear whether balloon or basket catheters are better
for extraction of stones ≤ 10 mm in size. We performed a meta-analysis of studies
comparing rates of complete stone extraction and adverse events after ERCP using balloon
vs basket catheters for bile duct stones ≤ 10 mm in size.
Methods Cochrane database, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched from inception
to October 2021. Randomized control trials comparing outcomes of balloon vs basket
catheter were included. Data extraction of articles was carried out by two authors
using predefined inclusion criteria. Metanalysis was carried out using the Revman
5.4.1. software using a random-effects model.
Results Three studies with a total of 508 patients were included in the final analysis. For
common bile duct stones ≤ 10 mm, balloon catheters had higher complete stone clearance
rates than basket catheters (relative risk 1.1, confidence interval 1.03, 1.18, P = 0.006). Heterogeneity among studies was low (Tau2 = 0.0; P = 0.47, I2 = 0 %). There was no difference in the rate of complications.
Conclusions Meta-analysis of three studies indicates that balloon catheters have a higher success
rate compared to basket catheters for complete stone extraction for choledocholithiasis ≤ 10 mm
with no significant difference in the rate of complications.
