ObjectiveTo study the safety and efficacy of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for choledocholithiasis. MethodsA total of 60 patients with choledocholithiasis in Suqian People's Hospital of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group were included from January 2017 to December 2018 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to the random number table, the patients were divided into two groups: simple endoscopic papillary balloon dilation group (EPBD group, n=30) and endoscopic papillary sphincterotomy combined with balloon dilation group (ESBD group, n=30). Lithotripsy time, X-ray exposure time, one-time lithotripsy rate, lithotripsy rate, incidence of postoperative acute pancreatitis, intraoperative and postoperative bleeding rates were compared. ResultsThe time of stone extraction (8.5±2.4 min) in EPBD group was comparable with that of group ESBD (7.8±2.1 min) (P=0.14). The time of X-ray exposure was 21.8±5.2 min in EPBD group and 19.7±6.3 min in ESBD group (P=0.11). Stones were extracted at one time in all 60 patients, and no lithotripsy was conducted. The incidences of acute pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography（ERCP） in the two groups were both 6.67% (2/30). The intraoperative bleeding rates were 3.33% (1/30) and 10.00% (3/30) in EPBD group and ESBD group (P=0.042), respectively. The rate of postoperative bleeding was 3.33% (1/30) in ESBD group (P=0.035). No other recent complications occurred in the two groups. ConclusionEndoscopic papillary balloon dilation alone is safe and effective in the treatment of choledocholithiasis.