Visual characteristics of the papilla to estimate cannulation of the common bile duct – a pilot study

Abstract Objectives: Performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) depends mainly on the skills of the examiner, but also on anatomical variants. The aim of the study was to investigate patient- and papilla-related factors for the successful selective cannulation of the common bile duct (CBD). Patients and methods: 50 patients with a papilla with no prior sphincterotomy needing an ERC were enrolled. From a standardized description given by the endoscopist, criteria to characterize the papilla were analyzed. Results: Success was achieved