Summary
The use of precut papillotomy as an aid to diagnosis with ERCP and an expedient method
for endoscopic papillotomy is described. Precut papillotomy enables the experienced
endoscopist to increase the successful opacification of the biliary tree in cases
in which other techniques have failed, including ERCP, and to initiate a papillotomy
or sphincterotomy when the papillotome cannot be introduced completely into the papilla
without serious complications. Precut papillotomy is recommended when opacification
of the biliary tree or introduction of the papillotome is precluded because of papillary
stenosis, impacted calculi or anatomic variations, either natural or acquired, but
should only be performed by the endoscopist with experience in both ERCP and papillotomy.
Key words:
Precut papillotomy - Endoscopic papillotomy - Duodenoscopic sphincterotomy - ERCP
- Papillotome
