Fifty-one patients who underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy for suspected dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi were evaluated retrospectively. The procedure resulted in complete abolition of pain allowing discontinuation of analgesics in 31 of the 46 patients available for follow-up. Patients with a dilated bile duct and delayed drainage of contrast material as demonstrated at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) had a more favorable response to sphincterotomy than those with normal ductal findings (p = 0.01). There was a higher complication rate in those without ductal dilation and delayed drainage compared to those with these ERCP abnormalities (p = 0.03). Sphincter of Oddi manometry was obtained in 29 patients prior to sphincterotomy; 24 were available for follow-up. A favorable outcome for sphincterotomy did not correlate with manometric assessment, particularly in patients with an abnormal ductal system.