Sphincter of Oddi laxity: An important factor in hepatolithiasis

AIM: To evaluate the importance of sphincter of Oddi laxity (SOL) in hepatolithiasis (HL).METHODS: Subjects included 98 patients diagnosed with HL between 2002 and 2007. Detailed histories were taken and the subjects were monitored until July 2008. HL patients were divided into two groups: Group I included 45 patients with SOL, and Group II included 53 patients without. Recurrence and reoperation indices of both groups were calculated and compared.RESULTS: The recurrence index was 0.135 in Group I and 0.018 in Group II (P < 0.001). The reoperation index was 0.070 in Group I and 0.010 in Group II (P < 0.001). The mean frequency of biliary operation was 2.07 in Group I and 1.21 in Group II (P = 0.001). Differences between the two groups are significant.CONCLUSION: HL patients with SOL tend to have a higher risk of recurrence and a larger demand for reoperation than those without this condition.