Prognosis

The outlook for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis managed by cholecystectomy is favourable. The same holds for patients with choledocholithiasis who undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary sphincterotomy and stone extraction, followed later by cholecystectomy.

Recurrent choledochal problems

Recurrent bile duct stones occur in 5% to 20% of patients after endoscopic sphincterotomy.[1] Risk factors for recurrent choledochal problems include: pre-existing patient factors (e.g., bile composition and biliary anatomy); factors related to the sphincterotomy (sphincter ablation and papillary stenosis); bile duct dilatation to >13 mm; multiple common bile duct stones; and brown pigment stones.[97][117][118][119]

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