Conducted current on guidewires in single lumen papillotomes.

An in vitro electrical circuit was designed to measure conducted current in plastic-coated guidewires and standard guidewires inserted in a single lumen papillotome. Single lumen papillotomes, which are more flexible than double lumen papillotomes, require the removal of the guidewire before electrosurgery due to concern over conducted current. In an in vitro electrical circuit, equivalent current was measured in both the papillotome wire and the standard guidewire. Plastic-coated guidewires did not allow any current flow. The advantages of flexible single lumen papillotomes and maintenance of deep biliary cannulation over a guidewire may be combined if insulated plastic-coated guidewires are used.