Endoscopic biliary stent insertion through specialized duodenal stent for combined malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction facilitated by stent or PTBD guidance

Advanced Endoscopic Techniques for the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer and Management of Biliary and GastricOutlet Obstruction

Following high-quality imaging studies for staging, endoscopic ultrasound examination fine needle aspiration/biopsy is the preferred modality for tissue diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with metal stent placement is used for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. Metal stents can be placed in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer in whom surgery is going to be delayed. For palliation of gastric outlet obstruction, endoscopic enteral stenting is often selected because of its less invasiveness. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction or gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction are emerging less invasive techniques as compared with palliative surgery.

Double Stenting for Malignant Biliary and Duodenal Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Data about the efficacy of palliative double stenting for malignant duodenal and biliary obstruction are limited.

Safety and outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage for malignant biliary obstruction using cautery-enabled lumen-apposing metal stent

Background and study aims  There is increasing evidence to suggest that EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is a safe and effective treatment alternative for patients with malignant biliary obstructions (MBOs) after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Patients and methods  We performed a retrospective analysis of data prospectively collected from patients with MBO who underwent choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) or gallbladder drainage (GBD) between August 2016 and June 2020 using the electrocautery-enabled lumen-apposing metal stents (ECE-LAMS). The primary endpoint was technical and clinical success. Secondary endpoints were adverse events (AEs) and reinterventions. Results  A total of 60 patients were included in the study, with 56 CDS and 4 GBD. Median age was 76 years with 57 % male (34/60). The most common indication for EUS-BD was pancreatic cancer (78 %). Technical success was achieved in 100 % of cases, with a clinical success rate of 91.7 %. Mean total bilirubin pre-procedure was 202 umol/L (normal < 20 umol/L) and 63.8 umol/L post procedure ( P  < .001). Twenty-one patients had bilirubin recorded at 2 weeks post EUS-BD with 20 of 21 patients demonstrating > 50 % reduction in bilirubin (mean bilirubin reduction 75 %). AEs occurred in 12 of 60 patients (20 %), all of which were mild. The reintervention rate was 11.7 % (7/60). Stent occlusion occurred in 10 of 60 patients (16.7 %) with a mean time to stent occlusion of 46.2 days (3-133). Stent patency of 83.3 % was observed with a mean follow up of 7.9 months. Conclusion  EUS-CDS and GBD using ECE-LAMS are effective EUS-based techniques for managing patients with MBO. AEs are usually mild and resolved by reintervention.

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.

ERCP performed through previously placed duodenal stents: a multicenter retrospective study of outcomes and adverse events

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

ERCP performed through previously placed enteral stents is an uncommon procedure without a significant amount of supporting literature and with a wide reported range of technical success. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and better define the technical feasibility and safety of performing ERCP through enteral stents in patients with combined malignant biliary and gastric outlet obstruction.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective study on 71 patients with combined gastric outlet and biliary obstruction who underwent ERCP through a previously placed enteral stent at 2 tertiary care centers. Outcomes included but were not limited to technical success, clinical success, need for repeat ERCP, adverse events, and survival time.

RESULTS

Overall technical success was achieved in 60 of 71 patients (85%), with technical success of 40 of 46 (87%) in type I obstructions (gastric outlet obstruction above the ampulla), 16 of 21 (76%) in type II obstructions (gastric outlet obstruction at the level of the ampulla), and 4 of 4 (100%) in type III obstructions (gastric outlet obstruction distal to the ampulla). In general, patients who achieved technical success also achieved clinical success. Adverse events occurred in 3 patients (3/71): 2 patients with acute cholangitis and 1 patient with perforation. Average survival time after the procedure was 4.6 months overall.

CONCLUSIONS

ERCP performed through enteral stents is safe, with a high technical and clinical success rate, but may be more technically challenging in the setting of type II obstructions. This procedure could be considered first line in the unique setting that a patient requires ERCP through a previously placed enteral stent for malignant gastric outlet and biliary obstruction.