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In endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the sphincterotome is critical, as it performs both cannulation and sphincterotomy, arguably the procedure's two most critical maneuvers. Many endoscopists have strong preferences for one device over others, based on personal experience and specific design features. However, there are virtually no published comparisons between different sphincterotomes. This prospective, randomized study compared cannulation success rates for two similar sphincterotomes, one of which was rotatable.
Two hundred patients, all of whom had native papillary anatomy, were enrolled at a single center. ERCPs were performed by 13 trainees (who, in theory, would not have established practice patterns and prefer…