How Choledocholithiasis Is Treated

Sphincterotomy

The contents of the liver, gallbladder, and the pancreas drain into the small intestines through ducts. The ducts that originate from the gallbladder and the liver are known as biliary ducts, while the duct originating from the pancreas is known as pancreatic duct. The pancreatic and bile duct join together to form the common duct just before they drain into the bowel.

The opening where the two ducts join is known as the papilla, which is surrounded by a circular muscle known as the sphincter of Oddi. A sphincterotomy is the cutting of the sphincter of Oddi to allow various treatments in the ducts. This procedure is usually painless since this region has no nerve endings. Once the muscle has been cut, the surgeon can perform other procedures such as stone removal, stent placement, balloon dilation, and tissue sampling.

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