Consensus guidelines on the optimal management in interventional EUS procedures: results from the Asian EUS group RAND/UCLA expert panel

Antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant treatment does not increase hemorrhagic adverse events during EUS-guided biliary drainage

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

No data appear to have been reported regarding bleeding risk among patients receiving antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant treatment (AP/AC) during EUS-guided biliary drainage (BD) procedures. The aim of this study was to assess whether hemorrhagic adverse events associated with EUS-BD are increased in patients on AP/AC.

METHODS

Patients receiving AP/AC who underwent EUS-BD were retrospectively enrolled between May 2015 and August 2019. Patients who did not receive AP/AC and underwent EUS-BD in the same period were also enrolled as a control group.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety-five patients who underwent EUS-BD were enrolled in this study. Among these, 154 patients were allocated to the control group and 41 patients to the AP/AC group. Overall frequency of adverse events did not differ significantly between the control group (16.2%, 25/154) and AC/AP group (17.1%, 6/41; P = .80). The overall bleeding event rate was 3.6% (7/195), with no significant difference between the 2 groups. No thromboembolic events were observed with or without interruption of AP/AC. According to logistic regression analysis, the use of AP/AC was not a risk factor significantly associated with bleeding events (odds ratio, 2.96; 95% confidence interval, .56-14.0; P = .18). On the other hand, a long procedure time (>20 minutes) was an independent risk factor associated with bleeding events.

CONCLUSIONS

Bleeding events appear to be infrequent among patients who undergo EUS-BD while continuing AP/AC.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided anastomosis: Is it ready for prime time?

Significant advancements in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage procedures and EUS-guided anastomosis have recently been described. The described procedures include EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections, biliary drainage, pancreatic duct drainage, gallbladder drainage, and gastroenterostomy. These procedures have been made possible with novel devices that can reduce the difficulties of the procedures and potentially reducing the risk of adverse events. The procedures are also becoming standardized, which is essential for dissemination of the techniques. Furthermore, results from randomized studies are becoming available showing definite benefits associated with these procedures. In this paper, we will provide a review on EUS-guided anastomotic procedures.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction with surgically altered anatomy: a multicenter prospective registration study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic treatment for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) in patients bearing surgically altered anatomy (SAA) is not well-established. Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has emerged as a new treatment option for MBO, limited data are available regarding the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD in patients with SAA. We conducted a multicenter prospective registration study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD in this population.

METHODS

This study involved 10 referral centers in Japan. Patients with SAA who were scheduled to receive EUS-BD for unresectable MBO between May 2016 and September 2018 were prospectively registered. The primary endpoint was technical success and the secondary outcomes were clinical success, procedure time, procedure-related adverse events (AEs), stent patency, and overall survival.

RESULTS

In total, 40 patients were prospectively enrolled. The surgical reconstruction methods were gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (47.5%), gastrectomy with Billroth-II reconstruction (15%), pancreaticoduodenectomy (27.5%), and hepaticojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction (10%). EUS-BD was performed for primary biliary drainage in 31 patients and for rescue biliary drainage in nine patients. Transmural stenting alone (60%), antegrade stenting alone (5%), and a combination of the two techniques (35%) were selected for patients treated with EUS-BD. Technical and clinical success rates were 100% (95% confidence interval, 91.2-100.0%) and 95% (95% confidence interval, 83.1-99.4%), respectively. Mean procedure time was 36.5 min. Early AEs were noted in six patients (15%): three self-limited bile leak, one bile peritonitis, and two pneumoperitonea. Late AEs occurred in six patients (15%): one jejunal ulcer and five stent occlusions. Stent patency rate after 3 months of survival was 95.7% (22/23). Median overall survival was 96 days.

CONCLUSION

EUS-BD for MBO in patients with SAA appears to be effective and safe not only as a rescue drainage technique after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiography but also as a primary drainage technique.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

UMIN000022101.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided choledocoduodenostomy in a patient with irresecable pancreas cancer and biliar obstruction using a luminal apposing metal stent (LAMS)

The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the election treatment of biliary obstruction. EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has emerged as an alternative to PTBD with a high technical and clinical success rate, low risk of complications and a better quality of life for the patient. Case presentation we present the first case in Colombia of EUS-guided biliary drainage using luminal apposing metal stent (LAMS) in a patient with unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma with biliary obstruction in who ERCP was failed due to neoplastic invasion of the Vater papilla. Discussion Transhepatic biliary drainage has been the most common procedure for treatment of malignant biliary obstruction in cases which ERCP fails due to tumor infiltration of the duodenum or the Vater papilla. During the last decade the development of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has implied an alternative for biliary drainage in cases of failed ERCP, demonstrating advantages over Trans hepatic biliary drainage Conclusion Considering that EUS-CD is a safe procedure, with a high rate of technical and clinical success, low risk of complications.

Standard procedures in nonoperating room anesthesia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article provides an overview of standard procedures currently performed in nonoperating room anesthesia (NORA) and highlights anesthetic implications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Novel noninvasive interventional procedures remain on the rise, accelerating demand for anesthesia support outside the conventional operating room. The field of interventional oncology has introduced a variety of effective minimally invasive therapies making interventional radiology gain a major role in the management of cancer. Technical innovation brings newer ablative and embolotherapy techniques into practice. Flexible bronchoscopy has replaced rigid bronchoscopy for many diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Endobronchial ultrasonography now allows sampling of mediastinal, paratracheal, or subcarinal lymph nodes rendering more invasive procedures such as mediastinoscopy unnecessary. Similarly, endoscopic ultrasonosgraphy currently plays a central position in the management of gastrointestinal disease. Sophisticated catheter techniques for ablating cardiac arrhythmias have become state of the art; Watchman procedure gaining position in the prevention of stroke resulting from atrial fibrillation.

SUMMARY

NORA is a rapidly evolving field in anesthesia. Employing new technology to treat a wide variety of diseases brings new challenges to the anesthesiologist. Better understanding of emerging interventional techniques is key to safe practice and allows the anesthesia expert to be at the forefront of this swiftly expanding multidisciplinary arena.

Efficacy of EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis compared with medication alone for unresectable pancreatic cancer in the oxycodone/fentanyl era: a prospective randomized control study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The efficacy of celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) with EUS guidance (EUS-CPN) has not been confirmed in the era of developed opioids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EUS-CPN for patients with pancreatic cancer-associated pain to compare medication using oxycodone and/or fentanyl with and without EUS-CPN.

METHODS

In this randomized control study involving patients who underwent EUS-CPN and those who did not, pain, quality of life (QOL), and opioid consumption were compared. Standard medicinal treatment using oxycodone and/or fentanyl was performed for both groups. The primary endpoint was defined as the pain evaluated by using a visual analog scale (VAS) rated from a 0 to 10, 4 weeks after the baseline.

RESULTS

For 48 registered patients, the outcomes of 24 patients in the EUS-CPN group and 22 patients in the control group were analyzed. EUS-CPN was successfully performed and did not induce severe procedure-related adverse events for all patients in the EUS-CPN group. Although the average pain VAS scores for both groups significantly decreased in comparison with baseline, scores were not statistically different between the groups at week 4 (1.3 ± 1.3 for the EUS-CPN group vs 2.3 ± 2.3 for the control group, P = .10). There was no statistical difference or tendency in favor of EUS-CPN at evaluation points of weeks 1, 2, 8, and 12. Moreover, the average VAS scores for QOL and the average opioid consumption between the groups were not different at all evaluation points.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-CPN for patients with pancreatic cancer-associated pain did not appear to improve pain, QOL, or opioid consumption compared with those who did not undergo EUS-CPN and medicated with oxycodone/fentanyl. Although EUS-CPN can be an option, it was not found to have a large enough impact to be routinely performed for all patients with pain. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000037172.).

EUS-Guided Versus Percutaneous Celiac Neurolysis for the Management of Intractable Pain Due to Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac neurolysis (EUS-CN) and percutaneous celiac neurolysis (PCN) are utilized to manage intractable pain in pancreatic cancer patients, no direct comparison has been made between the two methods. We compared the efficacy and safety of EUS-CN and PCN in managing intractable pain in such patients. Sixty pancreatic cancer patients with intractable pain were randomly assigned to EUS-CN (n = 30) or PCN (n = 30). The primary outcomes were pain reduction in numerical rating scale (NRS) and opioid requirement reduction. Secondary outcomes were: successful pain response (NRS decrease ≥50% or ≥3-point reduction from baseline); quality of life; patient satisfaction; adverse events; and survival rate at 3 months postintervention. Both groups reported sustained decreases in pain scores up to 3 months postintervention (mean reductions in abdominal pain: 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.8 to 4.2) and 1.7 (95% CI: -0.3 to 2.1); back pain: 1.3 (95% CI: -0.9 to 3.4) and 2.5 (95% CI: -0.2 to 5.2) in EUS-CN, and PCN groups, respectively). The differences in mean pain scores between the two groups at baseline and 3 months were -0.5 (p = 0.46) and -1.4 (p = 0.11) for abdominal pain and 0.1 (p = 0.85) and -0.9 (p = 0.31) for back pain in favor of PCN. No significant differences were noted in opioid requirement reduction and other outcomes. EUS-CN and PCN were similarly effective and safe in managing intractable pain in pancreatic cancer patients. Either methods may be used depending on the resources and expertise of each institution.

International consensus statements for endoscopic management of distal biliary stricture

Distal biliary strictures (DBS) are common and may be caused by both malignant and benign pathologies. While endoscopic procedures play a major role in their management, a comprehensive review of the subject is still lacking. Our consensus statements were formulated by a group of expert Asian pancreatico-biliary interventional endoscopists, following a proposal from the Digestive Endoscopy Society of Taiwan, the Thai Association for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the Tokyo Conference of Asian Pancreato-biliary Interventional Endoscopy. Based on a literature review utilizing Medline, Cochrane library, and Embase databases, a total of 19 consensus statements on DBS were made on diagnosis, endoscopic drainage, benign biliary stricture, malignant biliary stricture, and management of recurrent biliary obstruction and other complications. Our consensus statements provide comprehensive guidance for the endoscopic management of DBS.

Advances in the endoscopic management of malignant biliary obstruction

Biliary obstruction is common in pancreatobiliary malignancies and has a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life, postoperative complications, and survival rates. Particularly in the last decade, there has been enormous progress regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic options in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Endoscopy has given a new insight in this direction and novel techniques have been developed for the better characterization and treatment of malignant strictures. We herein summarize the available data on the different endoscopic techniques, and clarify their role in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant biliary obstructive disease. Finally, we propose an algorithm that can facilitate management decisions in these patients.

Radiologic Assessment for Endoscopic US-guided Biliary Drainage

Endoscopic US-guided biliary drainage (BD) is performed for various types of biliary obstruction and is mainly indicated for unsuccessful conventional transpapillary endoscopic retrograde cholangiodrainage. In endoscopic US BD, an extra-anatomic drainage route between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the biliary system is created with a covered metallic stent or plastic stent. Procedural types of endoscopic US BD include hepaticogastrostomy, hepaticojejunostomy (after gastrectomy), choledochoduodenostomy, hepaticoduodenostomy, and endoscopic US-guided gallbladder drainage. The technical and clinical success rates of endoscopic US BD are reported to be 94%-97% and 88%-100%, respectively. CT is crucial both in preprocedural assessment and postprocedural monitoring. CT is used to determine the indications for endoscopic US BD, which include the type of biliary obstruction, collateral vessels in the puncture route, ascites, the volume of the liver segment, the distribution of an intrahepatic tumor, and GI tract patency. After endoscopic US BD, common subclinical findings are a small amount of intraperitoneal gas, localized edematous change in the GI tract, a notch in the placed stent, and localized biliary dilatation caused by stent placement. Stent malfunction after endoscopic US BD is caused by impaction of debris and/or food, stent migration into the GI tract, or tumor overgrowth and/or hyperplasia. Complications that can occur include internal stent migration, intraperitoneal biloma, arterial bleeding or pseudoaneurysm, perforation of the GI tract, and portobiliary fistula. The incidence of clinical endoscopic US BD-related complications is 11%-23%. ^©RSNA, 2020.

Clinical utility of treatment method conversion during single-session endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage

BACKGROUND

Although several techniques for endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) are available at present, an optimal treatment algorithm of EUS-BD has not yet been established.

AIM

To evaluate the clinical utility of treatment method conversion during single endoscopic sessions for difficult cases in initially planned EUS-BD.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective analysis using a prospectively accumulated database. Patients with biliary obstruction undergoing EUS-BD between May 2008 and April 2016 were included. The primary outcome was to evaluate the improvement in EUS-BD success rates by converting the treatment methods during a single endoscopic session. Secondary outcomes were clarification of the factors leading to the conversion from the initial EUS-BD and the assessment of efficacy and safety of the conversion as judged by technical success, clinical success, and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

A total of 208 patients underwent EUS-BD during the study period. For 18.8% (39/208) of the patients, the treatment methods were converted to another EUS-BD technique from the initial plan. Biliary obstruction was caused by pancreatobiliary malignancies, other malignant lesions, biliary stones, and other benign lesions in 22, 11, 4, and 2 patients, respectively. The reasons for the difficulty with the initial EUS-BD were classified into the following 3 procedures: Target puncture (n = 13), guidewire manipulation (n = 18), and puncture tract dilation (n = 8). Technical success was achieved in 97.4% (38/39) of the cases and clinical success was achieved in 89.5% of patients (34/38). AEs occurred in 10.3% of patients, including bile leakage (n = 2), bleeding (n = 1), and cholecystitis (n = 1). The puncture target and drainage technique were altered in subsequent EUS-BD procedures in 25 and 14 patients, respectively. The final technical success rate with 95%CI for all 208 cases was 97.1% (95%CI: 93.8%-98.9%), while that of the initially planned EUS-BD was 78.8% (95%CI: 72.6%-84.2%).

CONCLUSION

Among multi-step procedures in EUS-BD, guidewire manipulation appeared to be the most technically challenging. When initially planned EUS-BD is technically difficult, treatment method conversion in a single endoscopic session may result in successful EUS-BD without leading to severe AEs.

Prospective multicenter international study on the outcomes of a newly developed self-approximating lumen-apposing metallic stent for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections and endoscopic necrosectomy

BACKGROUND

A novel self-approximating lumen-apposing metallic stent (LAMS; Niti-S Spaxus, Taewoong Medical, Gyeonggi-do, Korea) has recently become available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFC).

METHODS

This was a prospective international multicentered study conducted in six high-volume institutions across Asia. Consecutive patients suffering from pancreatic pseudocyst or walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) requiring endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage were recruited. Outcomes included technical and clinical success, adverse events, procedural events, interventions through the stent and recurrence rates.

RESULTS

Between August 2016 and November 2017, 59 patients were recruited to this study. Thirty-nine patients (66.1%) had WOPN and mean (SD) size of PFC was 11.5 (5.1) cm. Technical and clinical success rates were 100%. Mean (SD) procedural time was 35.0 (17.2) minutes. Sixteen-millimeter stents were used in 66.1% of the patients. Fifty-four sessions of necrosectomy were carried out with the stent in situ in 17 patients. Stent-related adverse event (AE) rate was 6.8%. Three patients (5.1%) suffered from bleeding after stenting and one required angiographic embolization. Two patients (3.4%) suffered from recurrence during a mean (SD) follow-up time of 325.6 (355.5) days. There were no differences in outcomes between those with pseudocysts or WOPN except for the duration of hospital stay (P = 0.012).

CONCLUSION

Use of a self-approximating LAMS for drainage of PFC was safe and effective. Endoscopic necrosectomy could be carried out through the stent with ease. The device was associated with a low rate of stent-related AE.

Efficacy and safety of EUS biliary drainage in malignant distal and hilar biliary obstruction: A comprehensive review of literature and algorithm

Malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) encompasses a variety of malignancies arising from the pancreaticobiliary system. This can be divided into malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) or malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO) biliary obstruction to which clinical outcomes and technical considerations of various biliary drainage methods may differ. EUS biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has been increasingly influential in the management of MBO together with other familiar biliary drainage methods such as ERCP and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). Conventionally, ERCP has always been the primary choice of endoscopic biliary drainage in both MHBO and MDBO and that PTBD or EUS-BD is used as a salvage method when ERCP fails for which current guidelines recommends PTBD, especially for MHBO. This review was able to show that with today's evidence, EUS-BD is equally efficacious and possesses a better safety profile in the management of MBO and should be on the forefront of endoscopic biliary drainage. Therefore, EUS-BD could be used either as a primary or preferred salvage biliary drainage method in these cases.

Risk factors for adverse events associated with bile leak during EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy

Background and Objective:

EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS) is performed for patients with advanced cancer because of poor prognosis and compromised status, and bile peritonitis may prove critical for such patients. This adverse event has the possibility of decreasing quality of life by prolonging the time until the start of oral intake, hospital stay, or chemotherapy. Predictors of bile peritonitis in EUS-HGS thus have considerable clinical impact. The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine risk factors of bile peritonitis as adverse events of EUS-HGS.

Patients and Methods:

As risk factors of bile peritonitis, baseline characteristics of patients, characteristics of procedures such as number of punctures, types of fistula dilation, mean procedure time were analyzed. Furthermore, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to assess the influence of this distance and bile peritonitis and determine the optimum cutoff score for predicting the risk of bile peritonitis. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was performed to examine factors of bile peritonitis.

Results:

A total of 68 patients were enrolled in this study. A distance of 2.50 cm offered 90.3% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity in predicting bile peritonitis according to the ROC curve. Number of punctures (>1), procedure time (>20 min), distance to the hepatic parenchyma (<2.50 cm), and presence of acute cholangitis were significantly associated with bile peritonitis in univariate analysis. However, according to this multivariate analysis, distance to the hepatic parenchyma (<2.50 cm, odds ratio 96.98, 95% confidence interval 10.12–929.12, P < 0.001) were only significantly associated with bile peritonitis.

Conclusions:

The short distance of hepatic parenchyma may be a risk factor of bile peritonitis.

Development of proficiency-based knot-tying and suturing curriculum for otolaryngology residents: A pilot study

OBJECTIVE

Basic surgical skills such as knot-tying and suturing are important for all otolaryngologists, regardless of subspecialty. The present study was undertaken in order to assess basic surgical techniques such as knot-tying and suturing required for novice otolaryngology residents with taking the variety of subspecialties into consideration, and evaluate the impact of a proficiency-based training curriculum based on these techniques.

METHODS

A prospective study was performed for developing of proficiency-based knot-tying and suturing curriculum for otolaryngology residents in the third post-graduate year (PGY-3). The proficiency-based training curriculum was developed based on the tasks selected by RAND/UCLA method with expert panel, which is an iterative and anonymous survey used to establish consensus among participants. Expert panelists were selected from various divisions to reflect variety of their subspecialties. PGY-3 residents trained with the developed curriculum that included proctored pre-test, self-training to proficiency, and proctored post-test. Visual analogue scale (VAS) of trainees' overall competence in the operating room was self-assessed by each resident, before and after completing the training curriculum.

RESULTS

Nine PGY-3 residents were enrolled as trainees. Eleven experts chosen as panelists had various subspecialty, including 2 from otology, 2 from rhinology, 2 from laryngology, 2 from head and neck surgery, and 3 from general otolaryngology. Seven tasks were selected from RAND/UCLA method and used to develop the curriculum. Trainee scores at pre-test were significantly lower than expert scores for all 7 tasks (p < 0.01) and each coefficient of variation of trainee score was larger than that of expert score (p < 0.05), supporting construct validity. The mean of composite scores between pre-test and post-test had statistical significance (68.6 ± 11.6 vs 95.9 ± 3.6, p < 0.01), documenting substantial improvement after training. Self-assessment VAS was also improved pre- to post-training (1.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.5 ± 1.4, p < 0.01). A follow-up questionnaire showed that trainees felt the educational curriculum to be beneficial.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, seven basic technical skills were selected using the RAND/UCLA method and used to create a proficiency-based training curriculum. Our results indicate that this curriculum significantly improves proficiency of basic surgical skills of junior otolaryngology residents.

Choledochoduodenostomy: Outcomes and limitations

The EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has gained broad acceptance as the preferred approach after failed ERCP for malignant biliary obstruction. Despite the drainage route, namely, transhepatic or transduodenal, the technical and clinical success rates are high. Because of such good outcomes with tolerable adverse events (AEs) rate, the EUS-BD might soon even replace the ERCP for primary biliary decompression in patients at high risk of failed biliary cannulation. Among the EUS-BD techniques, the choledochoduodenostomy seems to carry the lower risk of AEs and should be considered the first-line EUS approach for biliary decompression.

Position statement on EUS-guided ablation of pancreatic cystic neoplasms from an international expert panel

Background and aim  Recently, several guidelines with divergent recommendations on management of pancreatic cystic neoplasm have been published but the role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic cyst ablation has not been thoroughly addressed. The aim of the current paper is to explore the issues surrounding EUS-guided pancreatic cyst ablation by generating a list of clinical questions and providing answers based on best scientific evidence available. Methods  An expert panel in EUS-guided pancreatic cyst ablation was recruited from members of the Asian EUS group and an international expert panel. A list of clinical questions was created and each question allocated to one member to generate a statement in response. The statements were then discussed in three Internet conference meetings between October 2016 and October 2017. The statements were changed until consensus was obtained. Afterwards, the complete set of statements was sent to all the panelist to vote on strength of the statements, classification of the statement sand grading of the evidence. Results  Twenty-three statements on EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic cyst ablation were formulated. The statements addressed indications for the procedures, technical aspects, pre-procedure and post-procedure management, management of complications, and competency and training in the procedures. Conclusion  The current set of statements on EUS-guided pancreatic cyst ablation are the first to be published by any endoscopic society. Clinicians interested in developing the technique should reference these statements and future studies should address the key issues raised in the document.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy and hepaticogastrostomy for malignant distal biliary obstruction: Multicenter, randomized, clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) can be carried out by two different approaches: choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) and hepaticogastrostomy (HGS). We compared the efficacy and safety of these approaches in malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO) patients using a prospective, randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

Patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were randomly selected for either CDS or HGS. The procedures were carried out at nine tertiary centers from September 2013 to March 2016. Primary endpoint was technical success rate, and the noninferiority of HGS to CDS was examined with a one-sided significance level of 5%, where the noninferiority margin was set at 15%. Secondary endpoints were clinical success, adverse events (AE), stent patency, survival time, and overall technical success including alternative EUS-BD procedures.

RESULTS

Forty-seven patients (HGS, 24; CDS, 23) were enrolled. Technical success rates were 87.5% and 82.6% in the HGS and CDS groups, respectively, where the lower limit of the 90% confidence interval of the risk difference was -12.2% (P = 0.0278). Clinical success rates were 100% and 94.7% in the HGS and CDS groups, respectively (P = 0.475). Overall AE rate, stent patency, and survival time did not differ between the groups. Overall technical success rates were 100% and 95.7% in the HGS and CDS groups, respectively (P = 0.983).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that HGS is not inferior to CDS in terms of technical success. When one procedure is particularly challenging, readily switching to the other could increase technical success.

Lumen-apposing metal stents for malignant biliary obstruction: Is this the ultimate horizon of our experience?

In the last years, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has evolved from a purely diagnostic technique to a more and more complex interventional procedure, with the possibility to perform several type of therapeutic interventions. Among these, EUS-guided biliary drainage (BD) is gaining popularity as a therapeutic approach after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), due to the avoidance of external drainage, a lower rate of adverse events and re-interventions, and lower costs compared to percutaneous trans-hepatic BD. Initially, devices created for luminal procedures (e.g., luminal biliary stents) have been adapted to the new trans-luminal EUS-guided interventions, with predictable shortcomings in technical success, outcome and adverse events. More recently, new metal stents specifically designed for transluminal drainage, namely lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), have been made available for EUS-guided procedures. An electrocautery enhanced delivery system (EC-LAMS), which allows direct access of the delivery system to the target lumen, has subsequently simplified the classic multi-step procedure of EUS-guided drainages. EUS-BD using LAMS and EC-LAMS has been demonstrated effective and safe, and currently seems one of the most performing techniques for EUS-BD. In this Review, we summarize the evolution of the EUS-BD in distal MBO, focusing on the novelty of LAMS and analyzing the unresolved questions about the possible role of EUS as the first therapeutic option to achieve BD in this setting of patients.

Outcomes of an international multicenter registry on EUS-guided gallbladder drainage in patients at high risk for cholecystectomy

Background and study aims  The aim of the current study was to review the outcomes of a large-scale international registry on endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EGBD) that encompasses different stent systems in patients who are at high-risk for cholecystectomy. Patients and methods  This was a retrospective international multicenter registry on EGBD created by 13 institutions around the world. Consecutive patients who received EGBD for several indications were included. Outcomes include technical and clinical success, unplanned procedural events (UPE), adverse events (AEs), mortality, recurrent cholecystitis and learning curve of the procedure. Results  Between June 2011 and November 2017, 379 patients were recruited to the study. Technical and clinical success were achieved in 95.3 % and 90.8 % of the patients, respectively. The 30-day AE rate was 15.3 % and 30-day mortality was 9.2 %. UPEs were significantly more common in patients with EGBD performed for conversion of cholecystostomy and symptomatic gallstones ( P  < 0.001); and by endoscopists with experience of fewer than 25 procedures ( P  = 0.033). Both presence of clinical failure ( P  = 0.014; RR 8.69 95 %CI [1.56 - 48.47]) and endoscopist experience with fewer than 25 procedures ( P  = 0.002; RR 4.68 95 %CI [1.79 - 12.26]) were significant predictors of 30-day AEs. Presence of 30-day AEs was a significant predictor of mortality ( P  < 0.001; RR 103 95 %CI [11.24 - 944.04]). Conclusion  EGBD was associated with high success rates in this large-scale study. EGBD performed for indications other than acute cholecystitis was associated with higher UPEs. The number of cases required to gain competency with the technique by experienced interventional endosonographers was 25 procedures.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage: A change in paradigm?

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has been developed as an alternative means of biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Compared to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, EUS-BD offers effective internal drainage in a single session in the event of failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and has fewer adverse events (AE). In choosing which technique to use for EUS-BD, a combination of factors appears to be important in decision-making; technical expertise, the risk of AE, and anatomy. With the advent of novel all-in-one EUS-BD specific devices enabling simpler and safer techniques, as well as the growing experience and training of endosonographers, EUS-BD may potentially become a first-line technique in biliary drainage for MBO.

Comparison of three different stents for endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collection: A large retrospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Endoscopic transmural drainage has been recognized as the first-line treatment for pancreatic fluid collection (PFC). Currently, three different types of stents have been extensively applied, including double pigtail plastic stent (PS), fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS), and novel lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS). Nonetheless, limited data are available about the comparison among them in terms of their clinical outcomes and safety for endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of PFC.

METHODS

The current retrospective study was carried on 160 PFC patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage from 2010 to 2018 at a single tertiary care center. Patients were divided into three groups based on different drainage ways: drainage using PS, FCSEMS, or LAMS.

RESULTS

A total of 160 PFC patients (104 male and 56 female) were analyzed in this retrospective study, including 62 patients drained with PS, 28 with FCSEMS, and 70 with LAMS. Typically, the technical success (93.5% vs 96.4% vs 94.3%, P = 1.000) and treatment success rates (84.6% vs 85.2% vs 89.2%, P = 0.763) were similar between PS, FCSEMS, and LAMS. With regard to major adverse events, four patients (FCSEMS: n = 2 and LAMS: n = 2) with pseudoaneurysms developed severe bleeding; among them, 75% (3/4) of patients were observed within 2 weeks after intervention, and two patients in LAMS group died.

CONCLUSIONS

There are no significant differences in the clinical outcomes of PFC patients treated with PS, FCSEMS, or LAMS. Nonetheless, severe (or even fatal) bleeding may occur at the early stage after metal stent placement, which should be paid particular attention to.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage for Benign Biliary Diseases

Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the first-line treatment for benign biliary diseases, this procedure is technically difficult in some conditions such as a surgically altered anatomy and gastric outlet obstruction. After a failed ERCP, a surgical or a percutaneous approach is selected as a rescue procedure; however, various endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided interventions are increasingly utilized in pancreatobiliary diseases, including EUS-guided rendezvous for failed biliary cannulation, EUS-guided antegrade treatment for stone management, and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy for anastomotic strictures in patients with a surgically altered anatomy. There are some technical hurdles in EUS-guided interventions for benign biliary diseases owing to the difficulty in puncturing a relatively small bile duct and in subsequent guidewire manipulation, as well as the lack of dedicated devices. A recent major advancement in this field is the introduction of a 2-step approach, in which EUS-guided drainage is placed in the first session and antegrade treatment is performed in subsequent sessions. This approach allows the use of various techniques such as mechanical lithotripsy and cholangioscopy without a risk of bile leak. In summary, EUS-guided interventions are among the treatment options for benign biliary diseases; however, standardization of the procedure and development of a treatment algorithm are needed.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage: a comprehensive review

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has become widely accepted over the past several years for complicated biliary drainage. When conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not successful or feasible due to a variety of constraints, an ultrasound-guided technique through intrahepatic and extrahepatic approaches allows adequate management of hepatobiliary obstruction. Other management alternatives include percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainages (PTBD) and complicated surgical approaches, both of which can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There are various technical approaches to allow successful biliary drainage which will be reviewed in this article.

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy versus enteral stent placement for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a novel procedure for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO); however, data comparing EUS-GE to enteral stent placement are limited. We aimed to compare clinical outcomes between EUS-GE and enteral stent placement in the palliation of malignant GOO.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database on patients who underwent EUS-GE or enteral stent placement for palliation of malignant GOO from 2014 to 2017 was conducted. Primary outcome was the rate of stent failure requiring repeat intervention. Secondary outcomes included technical and clinical success, time to repeat intervention, length of hospital stay, and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 100 consecutive patients (mean age 65.9 ± 11.9 years, 44.0% female) were identified, of which 78 underwent enteral stent placement, and 22 underwent EUS-GE. Rate of stent failure requiring repeat intervention was higher in the enteral stent group than the EUS-GE group (32.0% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.021). Technical success was achieved in 100% in both groups. Higher initial clinical success was attained in the EUS-GE group than the enteral stent group (95.8% vs. 76.3%, p = 0.042). Mean length of hospital stay following stent placement was similar between groups (p = 0.821). The enteral stent group trended towards increased adverse events (40.2% vs. 20.8%, p = 0.098). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed decreased stent function in the enteral stent group (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Compared to enteral stent placement, EUS-GE has a higher rate of initial clinical success and lower rate of stent failure requiring repeat intervention. EUS-GE may be offered for selected patients with malignant GOO in centers with extensive experience.

Technical feasibility of EUS-guided antegrade dilation for hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture using novel endoscopic device (with videos)

Background

A novel endoscopic dilation device (EZ Dilator; Zeon Medical Co, Tokyo, Japan) is now available in Japan that might affect dilation for biliary strictures under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance because it has good push ability. We evaluated the technical feasibility of this device under EUS guidance in a case series of patients with hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HJAS) that led to further complications.

Method

We enrolled 14 patients with HJAS leading to obstructive jaundice or repeated cholangitis in this study. Technical success was defined as insertion of the EZ Dilator into the intestine across the stricture site without the need for other dilation devices. Deployed plastic stents were removed after three months to evaluate anastomosis sites.

Results

The median procedural duration was 25 minutes. Rates of technical and clinical success were 100% and 78.5%, respectively. One patient developed an adverse event of abdominal pain. Contrast medium flowed across the anastomosis site in 11 patients after stent removal, indicating a clinical success rate of 78.5% (11 of 14). Plastic stents were deployed again in the remaining three patients.

Conclusion

Although a prospective evaluation with long-term follow up is needed, the EZ Dilator shows clinical promise for treating benign biliary strictures under ERCP and EUS guidance.

What should be known prior to performing EUS?

Direct referral of patients for EUS – instead of preprocedural consultation with the endosonographer – has become standard practice (like for other endoscopic procedures) as it is time- and cost-effective. To ensure appropriate indications and safe examinations, the endosonographer should carefully consider what information is needed before accepting the referral. This includes important clinical data regarding relevant comorbidities, the fitness of the patient to consent and undergo the procedure, and the anticoagulation status. In addition, relevant findings from other imaging methods to clarify the clinical question may be necessary. Appropriate knowledge and management of the patients’ anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy, antibiotic prophylaxis, and sedation issues can avoid unnecessary delays and unsafe procedures. Insisting on optimal preparation, appropriate indications, and clear clinical referral questions will increase the quality of the outcomes of EUS. In this paper, important practical issues regarding EUS preparations are raised and discussed from different points of view.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage

Endoscopic transpapillary or transanastomotic pancreatic duct drainage (PD) is the mainstay of drainage in symptomatic pancreatic duct obstruction or leakage. However, transpapillary or transanastomotic PD can be technically difficult due to the tight stricture or surgically altered anatomy (SAA), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided PD (EUS-PD) is now increasingly used as an alternative technique. There are two approaches in EUS-PD: EUS-guided rendezvous (EUS-RV) and EUS-guided transmural drainage (EUS-TMD). In cases with normal anatomy, EUS-RV should be the first approach, whereas EUS-TMD can be selected in cases with SAA or duodenal obstruction. In our literature review, technical success and adverse event rates were 78.7% and 21.8%, respectively. The technical success rate of EUS-RV appeared lower than EUS-TMD due to the difficulty in guidewire passage. In future, development of dedicated devices and standardization of EUS-PD procedure are necessary.

Long-term outcomes of EUS-guided transluminal stent deployment for benign biliary disease: Multicenter clinical experience (with videos)

Background and Objectives:

Biliary drainage (BD) under EUS guidance is usually indicated for malignant biliary obstruction. Recently, EUS-guided transluminal treatment has been applied to benign biliary disease (BBD). This multicenter retrospective study evaluated the clinical impact of EUS-guided transluminal stent deployment for BBD with long-term follow-up.

Patients and Methods:

This retrospective study investigated patients treated between September 2015 and October 2016 at participating hospitals in the therapeutic endoscopic group. The inclusion criteria comprised complications with BBD obstructive jaundice or cholangitis and failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or inaccessible ampulla of Vater.

Results:

Twenty-six patients underwent EUS-guided transluminal stent deployment. Indications for EUS-guided transluminal stent deployment comprised anastomotic biliary stricture (n = 17), bile duct stones (n = 5), inflammatory biliary stricture (n = 3), and acute pancreatitis prevention (n = 1). Thirteen of these 26 patients underwent scheduled reintervention, with technical success achieved in all 13 patients. None of the deployed stents became dysfunctional. Among the 13 patients who underwent reintervention on demand, stents had become dysfunctional in six patients (stent patency: 48, 90, 172, 288, 289, and 608 days). Reintervention was successfully performed in all patients. During follow-up (median, 749 days), severe adverse events were not seen in any patients.

Conclusion:

We concluded that EUS-guided transluminal stent deployment for BBD is feasible and safe. Because metal stent dysfunction was more frequent when deployed on demand, such stents should be exchanged for plastic stents in a scheduled manner if a metal stent is used.

Single-stage EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy using a lumen-apposing metal stent for malignant distal biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CD) using a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) has recently been reported as an alternative treatment approach for patients with malignant obstructive jaundice and failed ERCP. We analyzed the safety and technical and clinical efficacy of EUS-CD using LAMSs in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of consecutive patients with inoperable malignant distal bile duct obstruction who underwent EUS-CD using an electrocautery-enhanced (EC)-LAMS over a 3-year period (2015-2018). The main outcome measures were technical and clinical success (defined as a decline in serum bilirubin level by 50% at 2-week follow-up). Secondary outcomes were occurrence of adverse events, procedure time, and stent patency.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients (47.8% women; median age, 73.1 ± 12.6 years) underwent direct EUS-CD using the biliary EC-LAMS. The procedure was technically successful in 43 patients (93.5%). The rate of clinical success was 97.7%. Adverse events occurred in 5 (11.6%) patients and included the following: 1 fatal bleeding 17 days after stent placement, 3 episodes of stent occlusion (food impaction), and 1 spontaneous migration (all 4 requiring reintervention). The mean follow-up was 114.37 days (95% confidence interval, 73.2-155.4).

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-CD using the EC-LAMS is effective. The rate of adverse events including one fatal event is not negligible and should be carefully considered before using the stent in this clinical setting. Prospective studies are required to validate our preliminary findings to fully assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the stent.

The underutilization of EUS-guided biliary drainage: Perception of endoscopists in the East and West

Background and Objectives

EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is increasingly utilized to manage unresectable malignant biliary obstruction after a failed ERCP. However, there is no data on how endoscopists perceive EUS-BD. The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of endoscopists on EUS-BD.

Patients and Methods

A survey questionnaire of six topics with 22 survey statements was developed. A total of 17 pancreatobiliary endoscopists (10 from East and 7 from West) were invited to survey. The participants were asked to answer the multiple choice questionnaire and give comments. The opinions of the participants for individual survey statements were assessed using 5-point Likert scale.

Results

All participants completed the survey. The endoscopists had a trend to perceive EUS-BD as a procedure indicated after a failed ERCP. Various EUS-BD methods were regarded as having different efficacy and safety. The superiority of EUS-BD over percutaneous transhepatic BD (PTBD) with regard to efficacy, procedure-related adverse events, and unscheduled re-intervention was not in agreement.

Conclusions

EUS-BD was not yet perceived as the initial procedure to relieve the unresectable malignant biliary obstruction. Various EUS-BD methods were regarded as having different efficacy and safety. The superiority of EUS-BD over PTBD was not in agreement. Refining the procedure, developing dedicated devices, and gaining expertise in the procedure are necessary to popularize EUS-BD.

Endoscopic treatment of pain in chronic pancreatitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pain is the most common symptom of chronic pancreatitis, having a profound effect on patients and a broad socioeconomic impact. Endoscopy is guideline recommended as first-line management for chronic pancreatitis pain in certain clinical scenarios. Herein, we provide an evidence-based review of the endoscopic treatment of pain due to chronic pancreatitis while highlighting some important confounders in the measurement of this outcome in clinical practice and research.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple recent studies have reported on the efficacy of current endoscopic therapies for chronic pancreatitis pain. Despite the high technical success rates of these procedures, pain outcomes remain disappointing. Complex mechanisms beyond ductal hypertension, such as central sensitization, visceral hypersensitivity and inflammatory neuritis account for some of the discordance observed between the rates of technical and clinical success. In addition, the sham effect is increasingly recognized as a confounder when interpreting the procedural benefit. Nevertheless, there are multiple promising innovations in the field of pancreatic endoscopy that are aimed to improve technical and clinical outcomes, but rigorous investigation is necessary to establish their role in clinical practice.

SUMMARY

Endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis pain appears to be safe and effective in certain contexts and recent innovations in the field will hopefully further improve outcomes. In addition to evaluating the technical success of endotherapy in chronic pancreatitis, methodologically rigorous research focusing on patient-centered outcomes and accounting for the sham effect is necessary to advance this field.

Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) versus plastic stents for EUS-guided drainage of walled-off necrosis (WON) (LVPWON): study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Background

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage has become the first-line therapy for late peri-pancreatic fluid collection (PFC). Double pigtail plastic stents (DPPS) and lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) are commonly used for PFC drainage. Recently, a multi-institutional consensus on PFC drainage has recommended that LAMS should be the standard care for patients with walled-off necrosis (WON). However, given the poor quality of evidence, we aim to perform a large-scale randomized controlled trial to determine whether LAMS is superior to DPPS for WON drainage.

Methods/design

The study is an open-label, prospective, parallel-group, superiority, multicenter randomized controlled trial. Two hundred and fifty-six patients with WON who will attend 18 tertiary hospitals in China will be randomly allocated to the LAMS or DPPS group before the procedure. The primary endpoint is the clinical success at one month after drainage (reduction in the size of WON to < 2 cm). Secondary endpoints include technical success, operation time, recurrence, adverse events, and secondary interventions.

Discussion

The LVPWON trial is designed to determine whether LAMS is effective, safe, and superior to DPPS for WON drainage.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03027895. Registered on 14 January 2017.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2901-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage by cautery-tipped lumen-apposing metal stent: exploring the possible indications

Background

The recently introduced Hot AXIOS™ system for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transenteric drainage has the potential to change interventional endoscopy significantly. The aim of our study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of this new type of lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) with cautery system for pancreatic collection, and gallbladder and biliary tree drainage.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients undergoing EUS-guided drainage by LAMS with cautery system in a tertiary-care academic medical center between March 2014 and March 2017. All patients were included in our prospectively maintained institutional EUS database. The main outcome measures were technical success, clinical effectiveness, and adverse events.

Results

A total of 45 patients (20 men, mean age 69.6 years) underwent LAMS placement. Indications were pancreatic fluid collections (19 patients, 42.2%), acute cholecystitis (10 patients, 22.2%), and biliary drainage (16 patients, 35.5%). Technical success was achieved in all patients except one (97.7%). Clinical success was achieved in 86.4% (38/44) of cases and adverse events occurred in 5 (11.4%) of patients.

Conclusions

In our experience, EUS-guided LAMS placement performed by expert endoscopists was feasible and effective in the endoscopic management of pancreatic fluid collection, and biliary and gallbladder drainage. Optimization of transmural drainage by new dedicated devices could improve efficacy and safety in appropriately selected patients.

Arterial Pseudoaneurysm within a Pancreatic Pseudocyst

The formation of pancreatic pseudocysts and (pseudo-)aneurysms of intestinal vessels are rare but life-threatening complications in acute and chronic pancreatitis. Here we report the rare case of a patient suffering from chronic pancreatitis with an arterial pseudoaneurysm within a pancreatic pseudocyst and present its successful therapeutic management by angioembolization to prevent critical bleeding. A 67-year-old male with a history of chronic pancreatitis presented with severe acute abdominal pain and vomiting to the emergency department. Seven weeks prior to the present admission, a CT scan had displayed a pancreatic pseudocyst with a maximum diameter of 53 mm. A laboratory examination revealed an elevated white blood cell count (15.40 × 103/μL), as well as elevated serum lipase (191 U/L), bilirubin (1.48 mg/dL), and blood glucose (353 mg/dL) levels. Sonographically, the previously described pancreatic pseudocyst revealed a slightly increased maximum diameter of 65 mm and an inhomogeneous echo of the cystic content. A contrast-enhanced CT scan showed a further increase in maximum diameter to 70 mm of the known pseudocyst. Inside the pseudocyst, a pseudoaneurysm originating from the splenic artery with a maximum diameter of 41 mm was visualized. After interdisciplinary consultation, prophylactic coil embolization of the splenic artery was immediately performed. The pseudoaneurysm was shut off from blood supply by back-door/front-door occlusion employing 27 coils, resulting in complete exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm from the circulation. Pseudoaneurysms are a rare complication of acute and chronic pancreatitis which has been shown to be efficiently treated by coil embolization.