Balloon Catheter vs. Basket Catheter for Endoscopic Bile Duct Stone Extraction

Endoscopic bile duct stone (BDS) removal is a well-established treatment; however, the preference for basket or balloon catheters for extraction is operator-dependent It is reported that complete endoscopic treatment with a single catheter is more likely when choosing a balloon catheter over a basket catheter for extraction of BDSs≤10mm. However, a study comparing the two catheter types in patients with periampullary diverticulum has not been performed, and there is no strong basis on which to recommend the balloon catheter as a first-line stone removal device. The investigators therefore conducted a multicenter prospective randomized trial to compare catheter performance in patients with periampullary diverticulum.