ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy in infants and children with jaundice due to common bile duct stones.

ERCP was performed in two infants (29 and 62 days old) and eight children (5 to 12 years old) with jaundice due to common bile duct stones. Seven patients had hemolytic anemia and three patients had a family history of gallstone disease. Successful cannulation of the common bile duct demonstrating stones was accomplished in all patients. Four patients had coexisting gallstones and were treated surgically. Six children who had previously undergone cholecystectomy were treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction without complication. We believe that ERCP should be utilized by expert endoscopists in children with evidence of extra-hepatic cholestasis, and endoscopic sphincterotomy should be the treatment of choice in children who have previously undergone cholecystectomy, and who are jaundiced secondary to common bile duct stones.