Saline irrigation for reducing the recurrence of common bile duct stones after lithotripsy: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background: Mechanical lithotripsy produces stone fragments that are not easily detected by cholangiography and is a potential cause of recurrence of common bile duct stones (CBDS). This study aims to clarify whether 100 ml saline irrigation after mechanical lithotripsy reduces the recurrent rate of CBDS. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial performed at the Surgical Endoscopy Center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between May 10, 2019, and Dec 31, 2020, patients undergoing endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy were randomly assigned