[A patient with choledocholithiasis--no therapy without risk].

A 73-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of recurrent fever and intermittent cholestasis. A cholecystectomy with hepatico-duodenostomy was performed ten years ago because of acute cholecystitis and impacted bile duct stones. Recurrent episodes of cholangitis occurred postoperatively and ERCP showed shrinkage of the hepatico-duodenal anastomosis with sump syndrome and recurrent bile duct stones. Endoscopic sphincterotomy for the improvement of bile flow was considered too dangerous at this time-point because of unfavourable intraduodenal position of the papilla Vateri. The patient refused reoperation. During the present hospitalization, endoscopic sphincterotomy and gallstone removal were performed. Within hours after intervention, necrotizing pancreatitis developed which could be managed without operation. No further episodes of cholangitis reoccurred after discharge from hospital. This case report demonstrates the risks of bile duct surgery and endoscopic sphincterotomy.