Advances in Biliary Access

Current state of biliary cannulation techniques during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): International survey study

Background and study aims Endoscopist techniques affect biliary cannulation success and the risk of adverse events during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This survey study aims to understand the current practice of biliary cannulation techniques among endoscopists. Methods Practicing endoscopists were sent an anonymous 28-question electronic survey on biliary cannulation techniques and intraprocedural pancreatitis prophylactic strategies. Results The survey was completed by 692 endoscopists (6.2% females). A wire-guided cannulation technique (WGT) was the preferred initial biliary cannulation approach (95%). The preferred secondary approaches were a double-wire (DWT) (65.8%), precut needle-knife technique (NKT) (25.7%), transpancreatic sphincterotomy (5.9%) or other (2.6%). Overall, 18.1% of respondents were not comfortable with NKTs. In the setting of pancreatic duct (PD) access, 81.9% and 97% reported a threshold of three or more wire passes or contrast injections into the PD, respectively, before changing strategy, 34% reported placement of a prophylactic PD stent <50% of the time and 12.1% reported removal of the PD stent at the end of the procedure. Advanced endoscopy fellowship (AEF) training and high volume (>200 ERCPs per year) were associated with comfort with precut NKTs and likelihood of prophylactic PD stent ( P <0.001 for both). Conclusions A WGT technique followed by the DWT and NKT were the preferred biliary cannulation techniques; however, almost one-fifth of respondents were not comfortable with the NKT. There was considerable variability in secondary cannulation approaches, time spent attempting biliary cannulation and prophylactic PD stent placement, factors known to be associated with cannulation success and adverse outcomes.

Partially covered self-expandable metal stent with antimigratory single flange plays important role during EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy

Background and study aims  Stent migration into the abdominal cavity, which can occur due to stent shortening or stomach mobility, is a critical adverse event (AE) in EUS-HGS. To prevent this AE due to stent shortening, a novel, partially covered self-expandable metal stent with an antimigratory single flange has recently become available in Japan. The present study evaluated the clinical feasibility and safety of EUS-HGS using this novel stent. Patients and methods  We measured stent length in the abdominal cavity and the luminal portion after EUS-HGS using computed tomography (CT) performed 1 day after EUS-HGS (early phase). To evaluate stent shortening and the influence of stomach mobility, we also measured stent length at the same sites on CT performed at least 7 days after EUS-HGS (late phase). Results  Thirty-one patients successfully underwent EUS-HGS using this stent. According to CT in the early phase, stent length in the abdominal cavity was 7.13 ± 2.11 mm and the length of the luminal portion was 53.3 ± 6.27 mm. Conversely, according to CT in the late phase, stent length in the abdominal cavity was 8.55 ± 2.36 mm and the length of the luminal portion was 50.0 ± 8.36 mm. Stent shortening in the luminal portion was significantly greater in the late phase than in the early phase ( P  = 0.04). Conclusions  CT showed that stent migration can occur even with successful stent deployment, due to various factors such as stent shortening. The antimigratory single flange may be helpful to prevent stent migration, but further prospective comparative studies are needed to confirm our results.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Interventions in Liver Disease

If endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) fails in cases of biliary obstruction and jaundice, percutaneous drains have been traditionally the current second-line option. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) with choledocoduodenostomy or hepaticogastrostomy is alternative modality that have shown equivalent or better technical and clinical success compared with percutaneous drainage. Similarly, EUS-guided gallbladder drainage has emerged as a therapeutic option in acute cholecystitis as well. Furthermore, EUS-BD avoids some of the pitfalls of percutaneous drainage. Current research in EUS-BD involves optimizing devices to improve technical and clinical success. In centers with advanced endoscopists trained in these procedures, EUS-BD is an excellent second-line modality.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage-current status and future perspectives

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stenting is the treatment modality of choice for patients with benign and malignant bile duct obstruction. ERCP could fail in cases of duodenal obstruction, duodenal diverticulum, ampullary neoplastic infiltration or surgically altered anatomy. In these cases percutaneous biliary drainage (PTBD) is traditionally used as a rescue procedure but is related to high morbidity and mortality and lower quality of life. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is a relatively new interventional procedure that arose due to the development of curvilinear echoendoscope and the various endoscopic devices. A large amount of data is already collected that proves its efficacy, safety and ability to replace PTBD in cases of ERCP failure. It is also possible that EUS-BD could be chosen as a first-line treatment option in some clinical scenarios in the near future. Several EUS-BD techniques are developed EUS-guided transmural stenting, antegrade stenting and rendezvous technique and can be personalized depending on the individual anatomy. EUS-BD is normally performed in the same session from the same endoscopist in case of ERCP failure. The lack of training, absence of enough dedicated devices and lack of standardization still makes EUS-BD a difficult and not very popular procedure, which is related to life-threatening adverse events. Developing training models, dedicated devices and guidelines hopefully will make EUS-BD easier, safer and well accepted in the future. This paper focuses on the technical aspects of the different EUS-BD procedures, available literature data, advantages, negative aspects and the future perspectives of these modalities.

Endoscopic management of difficult common bile duct stones: Where are we now? A comprehensive review

Endoscopic management for difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones still presents a challenge for several reasons, including anatomic anomalies, patients’ individual conditions and stone features. In recent years, variable methods have emerged that have attributed to higher stone removal success rates, reduced cost and lower adverse events. In this review, we outline a stepwise approach in CBD stone management. As first line therapy, endoscopic sphincterotomy and large balloon dilation are recommended, due to a 30%-50% reduction of the use of mechanical lithotripsy. On the other hand, cholangioscopy-assisted lithotripsy has been increasingly reported as an effective and safe alternative technique to mechanical lithotripsy but remains to be reserved in special settings due to limited large-scale evidence. As discussed, findings suggest that management needs to be tailored to the patient’s characteristics and anatomical conditions. Furthermore, we evaluate the management of CBD stones in various surgical altered anatomy (Billroth II, Roux-en-Y and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass). Moreover, we could conclude that cholangioscopy-assisted lithotripsy needs to be evaluated for primary use, rather than following a failed management option. In addition, we discuss the importance of dissecting other techniques, such as the primary use of interventional endoscopic ultrasound for the management of CBD stones when other techniques have failed. In conclusion, we recognize that endoscopic sphincterotomy and large balloon dilation, mechanical lithotripsy and intraductal lithotripsy substantiate an indication to the management of difficult CBD stones, but emerging techniques are in rapid evolution with encouraging results.