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Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) - series

Procedure, part 2:

If gallstones are present in the common bile duct, the surgeon can perfom a sphincterotomy. A small incision is made through the endoscope, which enlarges the opening of the common bile duct into the duodenum. The stones can then pass through.

Reviewed last on: 3/8/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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