Re: Sphincterotomy

Posted By HFHSM.D.-rf on May 20, 1999 at 19:10:14
Topic Area: Digestive
Eight years ago after gall bladder removal I had two sphincterotomies done.   The first one did not do much to relieve the pain so a second one was done.  This seemed to help the pain but still left me with a feeling of pressure in the side.  Recently I have had the same pain return as well as abnormal blood work and an abnormal ultrasound which shows a dilated bile duct.  I have had a liver biopsy done.  I am awaiting the results of the biopsy.  My questions are:
Can they do another spincterotomy?  Is it usual for the problem to reoccur and what can be done to help me now?
Is a dilated duct indicative of the spincter of odi dysfuction or something else?
Might there be stones in the duct which were not seen during the first ERCPs or on a recent ultrasound?
Do some people just have to live with pain for the rest of their lives because of sphincter dysfunction?
Might the problem be in the pancreatic duct and not the bile duct?
Thank you
Karen




Dear Karen,
Several years after a sphincterotomy it is possible to have narrowing of the duct opening because of scarring.  It is far from evident, however, that this scarring causes symptoms.  Therefore, one should be convinced that a sphincterotomy will help you before considering such a procedure.
A duct will remain dilated for many years after gall bladder and bile duct surgery.  Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction could cause a dilated duct but other conditions should be considered also e.g. stones
It is importanbt that other causes for abdominal pain be excluded e.g. pancreatic duct, small intestine.
This information is presented for educational purposes.  ASk specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: ga;; stones
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