[Transfistular treatment of the retained bile duct stones: analysis on complications and therapeutic success according to technologies].

BACKGROUND: The retained bile duct stones with distant fistulous tract has been treated by the transfistular route as the first line of treatment since the publications of Dr Mazzariello. Several techniques have been developed and several studies have been published, but little has been assessed about the relationship between complications and differences in extraction techniques.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the percentage of therapeutic success and determine which variables influence the occurrence of complications.

METHODS: Retrospective, observational, descriptive and comparative study.

RESULTS: We included in the study 59 patients with residual bile duct stones. The treatment success rate in our sample was 96.6% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 88.2- 99.6%]. The complication rate was 10% (95% CI 4%-21%). These complications were mild, being the highest magnitude STROC III A (abscess of the peri-fistular tract). There was not mortality during the development of research. Statistically significant differences were found in the number of sessions required to achieve therapeutic success and in the occurrence of complications. The remaining variables did not show differences. The age and the amount of stones needed a larger sample size to show statistical differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Our series showed results and complication rates similar to other national and international series. There was no relationship between the different techniques and the complications.