Bile duct stone extraction is impossible after endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) alone in approximatively 10% of cases (mostly because of stones' size). Adjunction of a mechanical lithotripsy (ML) is well established to improve clearance of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Because of inconstant success, high cost, and length of procedure, an alternative method was proposed in 2003: endoscopic sphincterotomy plus large balloon dilatation (ESLBD). If the safety of ESLBD is accepted in all recent published studies, it remains controversial wether ESLBD is superior to conventional endoscopic treatment associating ES± ML for CBD stones. Procedure treatment and place of ESLBD in CBD stones therapeutic strategy is unclear.