What Is the Value of the Learning Curve in Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation of the Major Papilla?

Table 2

Patient baseline characteristics and ERCP findings.

Sex: F (%)/M (%)	102 (51%)/98 (49%)
Age (years)	74.3 ± 14.8 [21–97]
Platelet count (mcl)	241460 ± 90000 [54000–638000]
Bilirubin (mg/dl)	3.05 ± 4.1 [0.32–24.6]
Alkaline phosphatase (UI/ml)	308 ± 258 [43–1602]
GGT (UI/ml)	517 ± 430 [14–2018]
INR	1.03 ± 0.15 [0.8–1.8]
ERCP indication, n (%)	Cholangitis, 67/200 (33.5%)	Jaundice, 21/200 (11.5%)	Pain, 19/200 (9.5%)	Pancreatitis, 12/200 (6%)	Cholangitis-pancreatitis, 4/200 (2%)
ASA classification, n (%)	ASA 1, 24/200 (12%)	ASA 2, 70/200 (35%)	ASA 3, 82/200 (41%)	ASA 4, 24/200 (12%)
Number of stones, n (%)	1 stone, 71/200 (35.5%)	2 stones, 32/200 (16%)	3–5 stones, 38/200 (19%)	6–10 stones, 34/200 (17%)	>10 stones, 25/200 (12.5%)
Stone size (mm)	13.5 ± 4.7 [5–40]
CBD size (mm)	14.1 ± 5.9 [6–40]
ERCP difficulty, n (%)	Grade 1, 0/200 (0%)	Grade 2, 52/200 (26%)	Grade 3, 138/200 (69%)	Grade 4, 10/200 (5%)
PAD, n (%)	34/200 (17%)
Billroth II gastrectomy, n (%)	8/200 (4%)
Previous EST, n (%)	75/200 (37.5%)
Need for precut EST, n (%)	9/200 (4.5%)
Need for ML, n (%)	13/200 (6.5%)
Diameter of dilatation (mm)	14.1 ± 2 [8–19]

F: female; M: male; INR: international normalized ratio; GGT: gamma glutamil transpeptidase; ASA: American Society of Anaesthesiologists; CBD: common bile duct; PAD: periampullar diverticulum; EST: endoscopical sphincterotomy; EPLBD: endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation; ML: mechanical lithotripsy.