Needle-Knife Fistulotomy for the Rescue: An Unusual Cause of Iatrogenic Extrahepatic Biliary Obstruction

Abstract EN

A 71-year-old male presented to our institution with cholestatic hepatitis after having recently undergone upper endoscopy for treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Further investigation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a hemostatic clip on the ampulla of Vater.

After initial attempts at cannulation of the common bile duct were unsuccessful, biliary decompression was achieved by use of needle-knife fistulotomy.

A common bile duct stent was placed and the liver function tests improved prior to discharge.