ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most common and serious complication to occur after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) resulting in substantial morbidity and occasional mortality. Biliary cannulation is unsuccessful during 5%–10% of ERCP procedures. Needle knife sphincterotomy (NKS) can improve success of cannulation but is often used as a last resort. Repeated attempts at cannulating the papilla of Vater and “needle-knief” ...
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