Abstract:Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with different types of difficult bile duct stones. Then analyze the causes and influencing factors of surgical failure.Methods The clinical data of 146 patients with difficult cholangiolithiasis treated by ERCP from 2016 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Group A (n = 43) with calculi diameter > 15 mm, Group B (n = 21) with the number of calculi > 10, Group C (n = 82) with upper digestive tract reconstruction. According to the success of ERCP stone extraction, it can be divided into successful stone extraction group (n = 106) and failed stone extraction group (n = 40). ERCP operation time, intubation times, success rate of stone extraction, residual stone rate, incidence of adverse events, stone diameter and digestive tract reconstruction were compared. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the causes of ERCP failure in patients with difficult bile duct stones.Results There were statistically significant differences in operation time, average number of intubation, stone diameter, residual stone incidence and laser lithotriptomy among the three groups (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in ERCP operation time, intubation times, number of stones, digestive tract reconstruction and whether it was the first ERCP between the successful ERCP group and the failed group in patients with difficult bile duct stones (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that ERCP operation time, intubation times, multiple calculi and digestive tract reconstruction were risk factors for ERCP stone removal failure in patients with difficult bile duct stones (P < 0.05).Conclusion ERCP lithotomy is safe and feasible in patients with difficult bile duct calculi, but a reasonable treatment plan should be formulated according to the individual situation of patients.