International Journal of Clinical Research

Gallstone disease is common in Western countries and Japan. Most gallstones are found in the gallbladder, but they can sometimes pass through the cystic duct into the extrahepatic and/or intrahepatic bile ducts, becoming bile duct stones, leading to common bile duct stones and intrahepatic bile duct stones. Approximately 10-15% of patients with gallstones also have bile duct stones. In addition, the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and classification of bile duct stones are likely to vary depending on the location of the stones (intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts). For a long time, open surgery to access the bile duct was the only unique method, but this approach causes significant damage to the bile duct, requires high patient baseline conditions, and for common bile duct stones causing symptoms, due to poor biliary conditions and high surgical risks, bile duct stone removal surgery cannot be performed in the short term. With the advent of advanced endoscopic, radiological, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, the options for treating bile duct stones have also increased. The purpose of this review article is to provide a general summary of endoscopic treatment for common bile duct stones by discussing the epidemiology, clinical and diagnostic aspects, possible treatment methods, and their advantages and limitations.

Common bile duct stones; Complications; Endoscopic treatment