An unusual complication during papillotomy: Breaking of papillotome cutting wire and its subsequent penetration of papilla

Abstract

Thousands of papillotomies are done word wide in day today practice by Gastroenterologists. Papillotomy is a procedure which is fascinating by its results but frightening by its complications. There are some usual, unusual and unknown complications. The usual ones are Pancreatitis, hemorrhage, perforation and biliary sepsis. The unusual complications include subcutaneous emphysema, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, pneumoperitoneum, migration of stents, systemic air embolism, portobiliary fistula, placement of ENBD in portal vein, basket impaction and breakage of basket etc. We report a forty year old female with an unknown complication; the breakage of papillotome cutting wire and its subsequent penetration of papilla.

Keywords

• cannula cutting wire fracture
• sphincterotomy complications
• reusable ercp accessories