Endoscopy 2010; 42(2): 169-172
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1215353
Case report/series

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Endoscopic treatment of difficult bile duct stones by using a double-lumen basket for laser lithotripsy – a case series

J.  E.  Lee1 , J.  H.  Moon1 , H.  J.  Choi1 , A.  R.  Song1 , E.  K.  Jung1 , Y.  K.  Cheon1 , Y.  D.  Cho1 , J.  S.  Lee1 , M.  S.  Lee1
  • 1Digestive Disease Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Soon Chun Hyang University School of Medicine, Bucheon and Seoul, Korea
Further Information

Publication History

submitted 18 July 2009

accepted after revision 16 September 2009

Publication Date:
07 December 2009 (online)

Laser lithotripsy is an effective and safe method for difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, radiolucent laser fibers make accurate fragmentation difficult and require continuous visual control or an accessory for effective targeting. The newly developed double-lumen basket may promote effective laser lithotripsy after stone capture. We performed laser lithotripsy using a double-lumen basket in 14 patients with CBD stones refractive to conventional endoscopic treatment, and evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of this procedure. Stones were successfully fragmented in 13 of 14 patients, and 13 patients eventually became stone-free. Mechanical lithotripsy was applied in two patients with biliary strictures. Minor complications were noted in three patients, including transient hemobilia in one patient. For a selected group of patients with difficult CBD stones, laser lithotripsy using a double-lumen basket appears to be an effective and safe method. However, continuous development of basket protocols to increase the success rate of lithotripsy is needed.

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J. H. MoonMD, PhD 

Soon Chun Hyang University School of Medicine
Digestive Disease Center
Soon Chun Hyang University Bucheon Hospital

1174 Jung-Dong
Wonmi-Ku
Bucheon 420–767
Korea

Fax: +82-32-6215080

Email: jhmoon@schbc.ac.kr