Failure of sequential biliary stenting for unsuccessful common bile duct stone removal

Table 1 Baseline characteristics and cholangiographic findings of enrolled patients in both groups, including the comparison of procedural details, stone characteristics, and complications n (%)

Details	Total (n = 42)	Success group(n = 37)	Failed group(n = 5)	P value
Male sex	34 (81.0)	6 (16.2)	2 (40.0)	NS
Age in years	71.9 ± 14.2	71.9 ± 14.3	72.0 ± 15.5	NS
Indications for ERC
Cholangitis	22 (52.4)	20 (54.1)	2 (40.0)	NS
Biliary pain	10 (23.8)	8 (21.6)	2 (40.0)
Obstructive jaundice	4 (9.5)	3 (8.1)	1 (20.0)
Acute pancreatitis	2 (4.8)	2 (5.4)	0 (0.0)
Asymptomatic	4 (9.5)	4 (9.5)	0 (0.0)
CBD size in mm	1.83 ± 0.45	1.80 ± 0.44	2.06 ± 0.56	NS
Stone size in mm	1.86 ± 0.43	1.85 ± 0.41	2.04 ± 0.58	NS
Stone number	1.50 ± 1.06	1.51 ± 1.12	1.40 ± 0.55	NS
Stone fit to CBD	37 (88.1)	32 (86.5)	5 (100)	NS
Stone shape				NS
Irregular		7 (18.9)	1 (20.0)
Geometric (oval, cube)		30 (81.1)	4 (80.0)
Stone characteristics				NS
Mixed stone		17 (45.9)	3 (60.0)
Cholesterol stone		20 (54.1)	2 (40.0)
Change in stone size
Decrease		25 (67.6)	1 (20.0)	0.04
Stable		12 (32.4)	4 (80.0)
Balloon sphincteroplasty		9 (24.3)	3 (60.0)	0.13
Use of mechanical lithotripsy		14 (37.8)	2 (40.0)	NS
Time to successful procedures in weeks		25.42 ± 40.42	None	NA
Sessions carried out		2.43 ± 0.80	2.80 ± 1.30	NS
Average follow-up time in months		13.10 ± 13.79	10.70 ± 8.81	NS
Complications during follow-up period				NS
Ascending cholangitis	6 (14.3)	6 (16.2)	0 (0.0)
Acute pancreatitis	2 (4.8)	1 (2.7)	1 (20.0)
None	34 (80.9)	30 (81.1)	4 (80.0)

CBD: Common bile duct; ERC: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography; NS: No statistical significance as P > 0.5; NA: Not analyzed.