Guidewires for use in GI endoscopy

The Role and Appropriate Selection of Guidewires in Biliopancreatic Endoscopy

Guidewires are indispensable tools in biliopancreatic endoscopy, playing a critical role in facilitating access and enabling the advancement of various devices during interventions such as Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedures. These devices are primarily used to achieve and maintain access to lumens, ensuring the success of complex therapeutic maneuvers. Guidewires vary widely in terms of material, structure, length, diameter, and tip shape, offering distinct advantages depending on the clinical context. Therefore, selecting the appropriate guidewire is crucial and must be tailored to the specific requirements of each procedure. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of guidewire use in biliopancreatic endoscopy, emphasizing their importance, characteristics, and best practices for selection to optimize patient outcomes. By reviewing existing guidelines and the literature, this paper aims to enhance the endoscopist's understanding of guidewire technology and its application in biliopancreatic endoscopy.

Structural factors influencing the clinical performance of 0.025-inch guidewires for pancreatobiliary endoscopy: An experimental study

Background and study aims To develop a pancreatobiliary endoscopic guidewire with good clinical performance, an understanding of its structure is necessary. This study aimed to investigate the structural factors influencing the clinical performance of pancreatobiliary endoscopic guidewires. Methods Eight types of 0.025-inch guidewires were evaluated. The following structural properties were measured: tip length, tip deflection height, tip weight (TW), ratio of tip core weight to TW, shaft coating type (flat or uneven), outer diameter, and core wire diameter (CWD). Four performance tests were conducted to evaluate shaft stiffness as bending force (BF), shaft lubricity as friction force (FF), torque response as torque response rate (TRR), and seeking ability as total insertion success (TIS) in a technical test using a 3D bile duct model. The correlation coefficients of each variable were analyzed. Results The BF and CWDs were strongly correlated, as well as the FF and CWDs and BF. Among the guidewires with similar CWDs, the guidewires with uneven coating had significantly lower FF than those with flat coating. The TRR was strongly correlated with the CWDs; furthermore, guidewires with lower FF had better TRR. TIS was strongly correlated with the TRR, TWs, and ratio of the tip core weight to TW. Conclusions CWD affects shaft stiffness; CWD and coating type affect shaft lubricity and torque response. Because TRR and TW are correlated with seeking ability, an appropriate combination of core wire thickness, TW, and coating design is required to develop a guidewire with good seeking ability.

Comparison of guidewires for successful cannulation of biliary stenosis and targeting of biliary branches in ERCP

Background and study aims Guidewires play a crucial role in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The ability to pass through stenosis, and the ability to seek the desired biliary branch are particularly important. In this study, we aimed to compare these specific abilities in various guidewires by using a bile duct model. Patients and methods Seven 0.025-inch angle-type guidewires (VisiGlide2, Fielder 25, EndoSelector, NaviPro, Jagwire Plus, RevoWave DualMaster, and J-WIRE prologue ST) were evaluated. To compare these, a bile duct silicone model was prepared. The time from the entry of the guidewire into the common bile duct with the stenosis to the emergence of the guidewire from the common bile duct after reaching two target intrahepatic bile duct branches was measured. Results VisiGlide 2 and Fielder 25 were the fastest guidewires, whereas Jagwire Plus was the slowest. Conclusions In this study, a guidewire with a tip deflection height of approximately 9 mm and a hydrophilic coating length of 7 to 8 cm achieved the fastest completion time for the course. In clinical practice, it is important to consider the performance required in various scenarios and to select the most appropriate guidewire. The results of this model test, which focused on the time required to complete the course around the model, can serve as a foundation for guidewire selection. This method holds potential utility in future guidewire development.

Efficacy of a newly developed guidewire for selective biliary access

A clinical efficacy study of 0.025-inch guidewires (GWs) according to mechanical property analysis has not been reported yet. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a newly developed 0.025-inch GW for biliary access according to the basic mechanical property. Commercially available 0.025-inch GWs were in vitro tested based on parameters of mechanical property. Patients with naïve papilla requiring diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP were randomly assigned to an experimental 0.025-inch newly developed GW or a control 0.025-inch GW group. Technical success rate of wire-guided cannulation (WGC), difficult biliary cannulation (DBC), and adverse event rates were measured in this multicenter randomized trial. The technical success rate of primary WGC was 79.1% (151 of 191) in the experimental group and 70.8% (131 of 185) in the control group (95% two-sided confidence interval: 8.25%; p < 0.001; for a noninferiority margin of 15%). The technical success rate including cross-over to each other was also non-inferior. However, the chi-square test showed a statistical difference (81.7% vs. 68.1%; p = 0.002). Median biliary cannulation time was shorter in the experimental group (53 s vs. 77 s; p = 0.047). The rate of DBC was more frequent in the control group (34.6% vs. 50.3% p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that control group was one of contributing factors for DBC. Overall rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis was not different (4.7% vs. 8.6%; p = 0.125). WGC using a newly developed GW with superior physical performance GW in a bench test showed similar clinical efficacy and the rate of DBC was significantly lower in experimental GW.

Guidewire Impaction in the Main Pancreatic Duct in a Patient with Chronic Pancreatitis: A Case Report

The guidewire is an essential accessory in ERCP. Although rare, guidewires can cause complications, such as subcapsular hepatic hematoma, perforation, knotting, fracture, and impaction, during ERCP. This report describes a guidewire impaction during the endoscopic treatment of a patient with symptomatic chronic pancreatitis. The methods used to treat guidewire impaction are not well known. In the present case, the impacted guidewire was retrieved by inserting another guidewire and dilating the space adjacent to it. Endoscopists should check for the free movement of the guidewire before stent deployment. Additionally, it is important to ask for help from experienced senior staff to overcome any challenges during the procedure. In conclusion, endoscopists should be aware of the possibility of a guidewire impaction during ERCP.

A preinstalled nasopharyngeal airway in the right nasal passageway to facilitate nasogastric intubation in anesthetized and intubated patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Nasogastric intubation (NGI) is usually challenging in patients under general anesthesia, with reported success rate at the first attempt to be less than 50%. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a preinstalled nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) in the right nasal passageway can facilitate NGI in anesthetized and intubated patients.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled trial including 108 patients scheduled for elective intra-abdominal surgeries requiring a nasogastric tube (NGT) was conducted. Fifty-three patients were randomized to receive NGI through a preinstalled NPA in the right nasal passageway (Group NPA) and 55 patients to receive NGI via the right nostril (Group O). The primary outcomes were success rates of NGI at first attempt, success rates of NGI in accumulative attempts, durations of successful NGI at the first attempt and success rates of NGI for the rescuing methods. The secondary outcomes were bleeding incidence and hemodynamic changes induced by NGI.

RESULTS

Success rate of NGI at the first attempt was 83.0% in Group NPA compared with 47.3% in Group O [P < 0.001; absolute risk reduction (ARR) = 35.7%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 19.1-52.4%; relative risk reduction (RRR) = 67.8%] and success rate of NGI in accumulative attempts (two attempts maximum) was 88.7% in Group NPA compared with 63.6% in Group O (P = 0.002; ARR = 25.0%, 95% CI = 9.7-40.4%; RRR = 68.9%). Duration for NGI successful at the first attempt in Group NPA was significantly longer than that in Group O (56.3 vs. 27.1 s; P < 0.001; Mean difference = 29.2 s, 95% CI = 20.0-38.4 s). Neither bleeding incidence nor hemodynamic response is significantly different between the two study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates a preinstalled NPA in the right nasal passageway facilitates NGI in anesthetized and intubated patients as an initial NGI method and as a rescuing method for patients undergoing two unsuccessful initial attempts of NGI without a preinstalled NPA. However, the NPA method proved to take more time than the routine method for NGI successful at the first attempt.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was conducted after receiving approval from Institutional Review Board of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taiwan (registration number 201800138A3; April 11, 2018), and the clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03697642; Principal Investigator: Ting-Yang Huang; Date of registration: October 4, 2018; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/NCT03697642 ).

Wire-guided biliary cannulation: a comprehensive approach to a set of techniques

Biliary cannulation represent a challenge for the endoscopists that approach to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, with non-negligible rate of failure even in expert hands. In order to achieve the biliary tree, two main technique are nowadays mainly used, namely the contrast-assisted cannulation and the wire-guided cannulation (WGC) techniques. The WGC technique is widely used because it seems to be related to higher success rate of cannulation of the common bile duct and, at the same time, to lower rates of complications. Particularly, this approach is associated with lower risk of post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis, although the pathogenesis of this adverse event is still not completely understood. The outspread of this technique among endoscopists promoted the development of different methods of performing WGC-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, such as the touch technique, the no-touch technique and the double guide-wire cannulation. Furthermore, the variety of guide wires and accessories, with their different characteristics, contribute to make the scenario extremely heterogeneous. To date, the published studies did not highlight which is the best strategy that maximizes the rate of success and minimizes the percentage of complications, even because the experience of the operator represents an important variable that conditions the outcomes. The aim of this review is to define state of the art in WGC technique, in order to better understand the possible advantages in using this approach and to bring to light the possible area that may be object of further studies.

Technical Reports of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Guidewires on the Basis of Physical Properties

Background/Aims

Using an appropriate guidewire can increase the success rate of selective cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The purpose of this technical study was to investigate the characteristics of each guidewire type and to evaluate its efficiency and rapidity of insertion.

Methods

We conducted a three-point bending test using a universal testing machine to investigate the flexibility and bending features of each guidewire. 3D-printed silicone tubes with various types of stricture and a hand-made biliary tree silicone model with six-stranded intrahepatic ducts were used to evaluate the success rate and insertion time of each guidewire.

Results

In the three-point bending test, the characteristics of each guidewire were classified. We found that the bending strengths and times were independent of shaft thickness. Using two in vitro biliary duct models, we determined that the success rate and total insertion time were better for guidewires with a resilient shaft and angled tip than for other types of guidewires (p<0.001). Although thickness of the guidewire affected the success rate (p<0.05), it did not affect the total insertion time (p≥0.05).

Conclusions

Among several types of guidewire, some factors (resilient shaft, highly flexible, and angled tip) appeared to be associated with the efficiency and rapidity of the guidewire insertion.

Stenting for Benign and Malignant Biliary Strictures

Benign and malignant biliary strictures are common indications for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Diagnosis involves high-quality cross-sectional imaging and cholangiography with various endoscopic sampling techniques. Treatment options include placement of plastic biliary stents and self-expanding metal stents, which differ in patency duration and cost effectiveness. Whether the etiology is benign or malignant, a multidisciplinary strategy should be implemented. This article will discuss general principles of biliary stenting in both benign and malignant conditions.

Role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of benign biliary strictures: What’s new?

Benign biliary strictures comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases. The most common strictures amenable to endoscopic treatment are post-cholecystectomy, post-liver transplantation, related to primary sclerosing cholangitis and to chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic treatment of benign biliary strictures is widely used as first line therapy, since it is effective, safe, noninvasive and repeatable. Endoscopic techniques currently used are dilation, multiple plastic stents insertion and fully covered self-expandable metal stents. The main indication for dilation alone is primary sclerosing cholangitis related strictures. In the vast majority of the remaining cases, temporary placement of multiple plastic stents with/without dilation is considered the treatment of choice. Although this approach is effective, it requires multiple endoscopic sessions due to the short duration of stent patency. Fully covered self-expandable metal stents appear as a good alternative to plastic stents, since they have an increased radial diameter, longer stent patency, easier insertion technique and similar efficacy. Recent advances in endoscopic technique and various devices have allowed successful treatment in most cases. The development of novel endoscopic techniques and devices is still ongoing.

Endoscopic management of benign biliary strictures

Endoscopic management of biliary obstruction has evolved tremendously since the introduction of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes over 50 years ago. For the last several decades, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become established as the mainstay for definitively diagnosing and relieving biliary obstruction. In addition, and more recently, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has gained increasing favor as an auxiliary diagnostic and therapeutic modality in facilitating decompression of the biliary tree. Here, we provide a review of the current and continually evolving role of gastrointestinal endoscopy, including both ERCP and EUS, in the management of biliary obstruction with a focus on benign biliary strictures.

Preparation of high-risk patients and the choice of guidewire for a successful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedure

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential technique for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, ERCP-related complications such as pancreatitis, cholangitis, hemorrhage, and perforation may be problematic. For a successful and safe ERCP, preprocedural evaluations of the patients and intervention-related risk factors are needed. Furthermore, in light of the recent population aging and increase in chronic cardiopulmonary diseases in Korea, precautions including endoscopic sedation and prevention of cardiopulmonary complications should be considered. In this literature review, we describe these risk factors and the use of endoscopic sedation. In addition, we reviewed the commonly available guidewires, including their materials and options, used as a basic accessory for ERCP procedures.

Endoscopic management of benign bile duct strictures

The use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for treating benign biliary strictures has become the standard of practice, with surgery and percutaneous therapy reserved for selected patients. The gold-standard endoscopic therapy is dilation of the stricture followed by placing and exchanging progressively larger and more numerable plastic stents over a 1-year period. Newer modalities, including the use of fully covered metal stents, are currently under investigation in an effort to improve the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

Endoscopic approach to the bile duct in the patient with surgically altered anatomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in surgically altered anatomy can be technically challenging, because of three main problems that must be overcome: (1) endoscopically traversing the altered luminal anatomy, (2) cannulating the biliary orifice from an altered position, and (3) performing biliary interventions with available ERCP instruments. This article addresses the most common and most challenging variations in anatomy encountered by a gastroenterologist performing ERCP. It also highlights the innovations and progress that have been made in coping with these anatomic variations, with special attention paid to altered anatomy from bariatric surgery.

Endoscopic management of benign biliary strictures

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the first-line management in most situations when a benign biliary stricture is suspected. Although management principles are similar in all subgroups, the anticipated response rates, need for ancillary medical and endoscopic approaches, and use of less proven strategies vary between differing causes. Exclusion of malignancy should always be a focus of management. Newer endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound, cholangioscopy, confocal endomicroscopy, and metal biliary stenting are increasingly complementing traditional ERCP techniques in achieving long-term sustained stricture resolution. Surgery remains a definitive management alternative when a prolonged trial of endoscopic therapy does not achieve treatment goals.

A new guidewire cannulation technique in ERCP: successful deep biliary access with triple-lumen sphincterotome and guidewire controlled by the endoscopist

BACKGROUND

Current studies have addressed ways to improve the success of selective biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of deep bile duct access using a short-wire system with sphincterotome and guidewire controlled only by the endoscopist.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of 70 patients with biliary diseases subjected to ERCP. Biliary cannulation was performed by the endoscopist without direct cooperation of the assistant in two centers with different experience in ERCP. The RX Biliary System™ was used in all patients. Efficacy (success rate and time to cannulation) of deep bile duct access and procedure-related complications were determined.

RESULTS

Overall guidewire cannulation was successful in 65 of 70 patients (92.9%). Nonintentional pancreatic duct cannulation with the guidewire was performed in 22 patients (31.4%). Additional techniques were needed in 18 patients (25.7%): guidewire into the pancreatic duct in 11 patients (15.7%); contrast-medium was used in 13 patients (18.6%); and precut was performed in 3 patients (4.3%). Attempts at papilla cannulation numbered<10 in 48 patients (68.6%), and time to biliary cannulation was <10 min in 42 patients (60%). Minor complications occurred in five patients (7.1%). There were no significant differences between patients in both centers.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-wire system allows the endoscopist to have access to the bile duct with a high success rate--early and safely--without the direct participation of the assistant.

Selective intrahepatic duct cannulation by using a triple-lumen catheter for endoscopic bilateral stenting in hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Selective cannulation of the intrahepatic duct is essential for endoscopic management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma, but it can be very difficult to achieve. Preexisting methods are sometimes time consuming and have limited success.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a triple-lumen catheter for selective cannulation in the intrahepatic ducts of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of a prospective database.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral university hospital.

PATIENTS

This study involved 58 patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma (Bismuth types II-IV), in whom attempts were made to insert bilateral stents endoscopically.

INTERVENTION

After conventional cannulation methods failed, selective cannulation with a triple-lumen catheter was tried.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Selective cannulation of the left or right intrahepatic duct.

RESULTS

With the triple-lumen catheter, the rates of successful selective intrahepatic duct cannulation increased from 97% (56/58 patients) to 100% (58/58 patients) in the first stent (Y stent) placement site and from 78% (45/58 patients) to 91% (53/58 patients) in the second (contralateral stent) placement site. Selective cannulation with the triple-lumen catheter was achieved in 10 of 15 patients (67%) in whom conventional methods failed. When the triple-lumen catheter was used, the success rate of guidewire insertion into the bilateral intrahepatic ducts was increased from 74% (43 patients) to 91% (53 patients).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective, single-center study.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the triple-lumen catheter appears to be an effective method for selective cannulation of intrahepatic ducts. It can be considered as a valuable method for selective cannulation in patients with hilar cancer in whom conventional methods have failed.

Guidewire versus conventional contrast cannulation of the common bile duct for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The use of a guidewire (GW) for cannulation of the bile duct during ERCP may prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP).

OBJECTIVES

A systematic review and meta-analysis of GW-guided versus conventional contrast (CC)-guided bile duct cannulation for the prevention PEP.

DESIGN

A November 2008 search of gray literature, databases, reference lists, and meeting abstracts was conducted for randomized, controlled trials comparing GW and CC. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. The outcomes included PEP, primary cannulation success, and other adverse events.

RESULTS

From 2132 citations, 7 randomized, controlled trials (5 noncrossover trials and 2 crossover trials) were included. Among noncrossover trials only, there was significant reduction in PEP when using a GW (3.2%) compared with CC (8.7%) (relative risk [RR] 0.38; 95% CI, 0.19-0.76). Subgroup analysis showed a significantly lower occurrence of PEP after GW entry versus CC injection of the pancreatic duct (1.1% vs 9.5%; RR 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.58). Among patients with a precut sphincterotomy from a failed primary cannulation, there was less PEP with GW cannulation compared with CC (2.4% vs 21.7%; RR 0.21; 95% CI, 0.04-1.04). The other adverse event rates were comparable between GW and CC groups (2% vs 2%; RR 1.05; 95% CI, 0.39-2.83). Primary cannulation success was significantly greater with GW use compared with CC (89% vs 78%; RR 1.19; 95% CI, 1.05-1.35).

CONCLUSION

ERCP GW cannulation reduces the risk of PEP compared with the use of CC. GW cannulation is associated with a higher cannulation success rate and less PEP after pancreatic duct entry.

ERCP wire systems: The long and the short of it

Guidewires are routinely used at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to gain and maintain access to the desired duct and aid in the advancement of various devices. Limitations of the traditional long-wire systems have led to the introduction of three proprietary short-wire systems. These systems differ in many respects but share two main principles: They lock a shorter wire in position to allow advancement or removal of various devices without displacement of the wire and they all allow for physician control of the wire. In this comprehensive review, we describe the key features of the three currently available short-wire systems: RX, Fusion and V systems. We also focus on the potential benefits and drawbacks that accompany the short-wire concept as a whole and each specific system in particular. Although the available data are limited, it appears that the use of the short-wire systems lead to reduced procedure, fluoroscopy and device exchange times, decreased sedation requirements, improved wire stability and increased endoscopist control of the wire. Furthermore, the physician-controlled wire-guided cannulation has the potential to decrease ampullary trauma and the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis. The short guidewire systems appear to be an improvement over the traditional long-wire systems but further studies directly comparing the two approaches are needed.