Summary
Pressures in the sphincter of Oddi and common bile duct were determined in eight patients
with previous surgical sphincterotomy, and in 14 patients before and after endoscopic
sphincterotomy.
Motor activity in the sphincter of Oddi was seen during manometric examination in
6 out of 8 patients of the surgical group. These six patients had common bile duct
stones after cholecystectomy.
Endoscopic sphincterotomy equalized the choledochoduodenal gradient and reduced the
sphincter pressure in all the patients except three. In two of them further extension
of the length of the sphincterotomy permitted removal of the stones and substantial
reduction of the motor activity of the sphincter of Oddi.
Key words:
Endoscopic sphincterotomy - Sphincter pressure - Manometry
