Clinical Trial: Randomized Trial of Wire and Sphincterotome Systems for Biliary Cannulation

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional



Official Title: Randomized Controlled Trial of Short Versus Long Wire and Small Versus Standard Sphincterotomes for Initial Biliary Cannulation

Brief Summary:

  1. Cannulation of (placement of a small catheter into) the bile duct is critical to remove bile duct stones, divert bile leaks, and decompress biliary obstruction due to cancer.
  2. Given the small size of the bile duct orifice and its close proximity to the pancreatic duct, selective biliary cannulation is the most difficult part of the endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP).
  3. New small diameter sphincteromes and "short wire" systems (which allow physicians to control guidewires) offer potential, though untested advantages.
  4. At most hosptial both the long and short wire systems as well as small versus standard are routinely used for clinical care.
  5. Our hypothesis is that small diameter, physician controlled wires favor biliary cannulation
  6. Our objective will be to assess whether small diameter sphincterotomes and "short wire" physician controlled guidewire cannulation favors successful bile duct cannulation and minimize complications.