Researchers at Seoul National University Hospital have found an effective method of using saline irrigation to reduce the rate of residual common bile duct stones, the hospital said Friday.

The bile duct stones can lead to severe complications such as cholangitis and pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and papillary sphincterotomy are standard treatments, but the stone remains or recurs after removal, leading to abdominal pain and acute cholangitis.

The research team, led by Professor Lee Sang-hyub of the department of gastroenterology at the hospital, published their result after tracing 148 patients, who had undergone total choledocholithiasis at five medical institutions from 2014 to 2015 to investigate the effects of preventive saline irrigation of the bile duct.

The researchers categorized the patients into two groups -- 73 patients who underwent preventive saline irrigation and 75 patients who did not. They found 22 patients with residual stones. However, only five patients, who underwent preventive saline irrigation, had remaining stones, which was three times less than those who did not receive the treatment.

The team confirmed, through multivariate analysis, that preventive saline irrigation, although slightly more time consuming, was the only way to reduce the risk of residual common bile duct stones.

“Through this study, the team proved that preventive saline irrigation is a simple procedure that solves the existing invasive and costly methods,” Professor Lee said. “We expect the treatment will become a new guideline that reduces residual stones and prevents recurrences for global endoscopy practitioners.”

American Journal of Gastroenterology published the results of the study.