Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography‐related complications for bile duct stones in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients

Abstract Background and Aim: Current guidelines recommend the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. We conducted this study because of the limited research comparing the risks of ERCP‐related complications between these two groups. Methods: This retrospective study involved 1491 patients with native major duodenal papilla diagnosed with choledocholithiasis at three institutions in Japan. The rates of ERCP‐related complications, including post‐ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), cholangitis, bleeding, and perforation, were compared