Does Saline Irrigation During ERCP Reduce Biliary Stone Disease Recurrence?

Possibly, and given its simplicity, safety, and low cost, a saline flush is worth considering.

A relative paucity of data exists on the recurrence rate of common bile duct (CBD) stones after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy and duct clearance. In the current prospective study, researchers randomized some 150 patients to undergo ERCP for CBD stones with or without preventive saline irrigation of the bile ducts after duct clearance. Irrigation entailed 100 mL of sterile saline flushed into the biliary tree via a catheter. Follow-up was performed via labs, imaging, and ERCP over a 12-month period.

The incidence of residual CBD stones within 6 months was 7% in irrigation recipients and 23% in nonrecipients (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that saline irrigation and the presence of only …

Reviewing Author

Douglas G. Adler, MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBSC; Merit; Olympus

Speaker’s BureauAbbVie

Editorial BoardsGastrointestinal Endoscopy

Douglas G. Adler, MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBSC; Merit; Olympus

Speaker’s BureauAbbVie

Editorial BoardsGastrointestinal Endoscopy

Does Saline Irrigation During ERCP Reduce Biliary Stone Disease Recurrence?

Topics

Reviewing Author