Endoscopic stenting versus surgical bypass in advanced malignant distal bile duct obstruction: cost-effectiveness analysis

Prevention of pancreatitis after stent implantation for distal malignant biliary strictures: systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Biliary stent placement remains a palliative treatment for patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary strictures (DMBS). The incidence of post-ERCP-pancreatitis (PEP) significantly increases in patients receiving fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) who undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an overview of prevention of PEP after stent implantation for DMBSs. The following operational variables were evaluated: (1) stent type (plastic or metal stent); (2) stent location (above or across the sphincter of Oddi); (3) prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement; (4) endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane database were searched to identify eligible studies up to October 2021. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled using fixed- or random- effects models.

EXPERT OPINION

1. PEP occurs more frequently in DMBS patients with self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) compared to that plastic stent (PS). 2. The PEP incidence is higher in covered stents than that in uncovered self-expandable metal stents (USEMS), but not significantly. 3. PEP incidence increases in patients receiving transpapillary FCSEMS placement, particularly when there is an absence of pancreatic duct dilation, and prophylactic pancreatic stenting is recommended for these patients. 4. Limited studies with small sample indicate that there is no significant difference in PEP incidence between transpapillary and suprapapillary stents placement for DMBS. 5. Limited studies indicate that EST does not significantly affect the incidence of pancreatitis in DMBS patients.

Early surgical bypass versus endoscopic stent placement in pancreatic cancer

INTRODUCTION

The optimal treatment for biliary obstruction in pancreatic cancer remains controversial between surgical bypass and endoscopic stenting.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of unresected pancreatic cancer patients in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Florida State Inpatient and Ambulatory Surgery databases (2007-2011). Propensity score matching by procedure. Primary outcome was reintervention, and secondary outcomes were readmission, overall length of stay (LOS), discharge home, death and cost. Multivariate analyses performed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

In a matched cohort of 622, 20.3% (63) of endoscopic and 4.5% (14) of surgical patients underwent reintervention (p < 0.0001) and 56.0% (174) vs. 60.1% (187) were readmitted (p = 0.2909). Endoscopic patients had lower median LOS (10 vs. 19 days, p < 0.0001) and cost ($21,648 vs. $38,106, p < 0.0001) as well as increased discharge home (p = 0.0029). No difference in mortality on index admission. On multivariate analysis, initial procedure not predictive of readmission (p = 0.1406), but early surgical bypass associated with lower odds of reintervention (OR = 0.233, 95% CI 0.119, 0.434).

DISCUSSION

Among propensity score-matched patients receiving bypass vs. stenting, readmission and mortality rates are similar. However, candidates for both techniques may experience fewer subsequent procedures if offered early biliary bypass with the caveats of decreased discharge home and increased cost/LOS.

A meta-analysis of randomized trials: immediate stent placement vs. surgical bypass in the palliative management of malignant biliary obstruction

CONTEXT

Many patients with unresectable pancreatic and peripancreatic cancer require treatment for malignant biliary obstruction.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a meta-analysis of the English language literature (1985-2011) comparing immediate biliary stent placement and immediate surgical biliary bypass in patients with unresectable pancreatic and peripancreatic cancer and analyze associated hospital utilization patterns.

METHODS

After identifying five randomized controlled trials comparing immediate biliary stent placement and immediate surgical biliary bypass, we performed a meta-analysis for dichotomous outcomes, using a random effects model. We compared resource utilization in terms of the number of hospital days before death by reviewing high-quality literature.

RESULTS

Three hundred seventy-nine patients were identified. We found no statistically significant differences in success rates between the two treatments (risk ratio [RR] 0.99; 95% CI 0.93-1.05; P = 0.67). Major complications and mortality were not significantly higher after surgical bypass (RR 1.54; 95% CI 0.87-2.71; P = 0.14). Recurrent biliary obstruction was significantly less frequent after surgical bypass than after stent placement (RR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.63; P < 0.01). Despite similar overall survival rates, longer survival was associated with more hospital days before death in stent patients than in surgical patients.

CONCLUSION

Nearly all patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer benefit from some procedure to manage biliary obstruction. Patients with low surgical risk benefit more from surgery because the risk of recurrence and subsequent hospital utilization are lower than after stent placement.

Enteral stents for malignant gastric outlet obstruction

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is a commonly encountered entity, defined as the inability of the stomach to empty because of mechanical obstruction at the level of either the stomach or the proximal small bowel. In this article, current literature on GOO is reviewed with a focus on enteral stents to include symptoms and diagnosis, stent and nonstent treatment, types of enteral stents, indications and contraindications to stent placement, and technical and clinical success rates. In comparison with gastrojejunostomy, enteral stent placement is better suited for patients with a shorter life expectancy and/or those who are poor surgical candidates.

Cholangiocarcinoma: an endoscopist's perspective

The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is on the rise. This may be related in part to higher detection rates secondary to sophisticated endoscopic modalities. These tumors pose a significant diagnostic dilemma. High index of suspicion, careful interpretation of serum markers and utilization of endoscopic techniques, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound, help to establish the diagnosis. Imaging modalities are crucial in the evaluation of these tumors. They help to define the extent of the native lesion, which may dictate its resectability, as well as evaluate for metastasis. Therapeutic options are somewhat limited, short of surgical resection. Newer chemotherapeutic agents, as well as endoscopy-targeted therapy, may improve the overall treatment success rate, although experience is somewhat limited at this time. Endoscopic intervention is essential for palliation.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis and management of cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are rare malignancies that arise from the biliary epithelium. Intrahepatic CCAs usually present as mass lesions that are asymptomatic or cause nonspecific systemic symptoms such as fatigue, fever, and weight loss. Hilar and extrahepatic tumors most commonly present with jaundice, though cholangitis also can be seen. Tumor markers such as carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen have been used to diagnose CCA, but these are nonspecific and may be elevated in infection, inflammation, or any obstruction. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been used for the diagnosis and management of CCA for many years. This article summarizes the data regarding the application of ERCP in the diagnosis and management of CCA.

Nitinol biliary stent versus surgery for palliation of distal malignant biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND

Curative resection of pancreatic and biliary malignancies is rare. Most tumors are inoperable at presentation, and palliation of jaundice often is the goal. Biliary decompression can be achieved by surgical diversion or endoscopic biliary stents. This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes between surgical bypass and endoscopic uncovered nitinol stents in the palliation of patients with malignant distal common bile duct obstruction.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective, cohort study investigated 86 patients with inoperable malignant distal common bile duct strictures at tertiary referral centers in Medellín, Colombia. These patients had undergone surgery (group 1) or placement of an uncovered 30-Fr self-expandable nitinol stent produced locally in Medellín, Colombia (group 2). The main outcome measurements included cumulative biliary patency, hospital stay, and patient survival.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 86 patients (mean age, 66 years; range, 43-78 years) including 40 patients in group 1 and 46 patients in group 2. Both groups were similar in terms of age, gender, liver metastasis, and diagnosis. Technical success was achieved for 38 patients in group 1 (95%) and 43 patients in group 2 (93%). Functional biliary decompression was obtained in for 35 of the surgical patients (88%) and 42 of the stented patients (91%). Group 2 had lower rates for procedure-related mortality (2 vs. 7.5%; p = 0.01), a lower frequency of early complications (8.7 vs. 45%; p = 0.02), and a shorter hospital stay (median, 6 vs. 12 days; p = 0.01). Recurrent jaundice occurred for three patients in group 1 (7.5%) and eight patients in group 2 (17.3%) (p = 0.198). Late gastric outlet obstruction occurred for 12.5% of the patients in group 1 and 13% of the patients in group 2 (p = 0.73). Despite the early benefits of stenting, no significant difference in the median overall survival between the two groups was found (group 1, 163 days; group 2, 178 days; p = 0.11). The limitations of this study included the small number of patients and the retrospective design.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic stenting and surgery are effective palliation. The former is associated with fewer early complications and the latter with fewer late complications. Patients who do not qualify for curative resection may be better managed by stent placement. Surgery should be reserved for patients more likely to survive longer.

Advances in diagnosis, treatment and palliation of cholangiocarcinoma: 1990-2009

Several advances in diagnosis, treatment and palliation of cholangiocarcinoma (CC) have occurred in the last decades. A multidisciplinary approach to this disease is therefore recommended. CC is a relatively rare tumor and the main risk factors are: chronic inflammation, genetic predisposition and congenital abnormalities of the biliary tree. While the incidence of intra-hepatic CC is increasing, the incidence of extra-hepatic CC is trending down. The only curative treatment for CC is surgical resection with negative margins. Liver transplantation has been proposed only for selected patients with hilar CC that cannot be resected who have no metastatic disease after a period of neoadjuvant chemo-radiation therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, positron emission tomography scan, endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography scans are the most frequently used modalities for diagnosis and tumor staging. Adjuvant therapy, palliative chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been relatively ineffective for inoperable CC. For most of these patients biliary stenting provides effective palliation. Photodynamic therapy is an emerging palliative treatment that seems to provide pain relief, improve biliary patency and increase survival. The clinical utility of other emerging therapies such as transarterial chemoembolization, hepatic arterial chemoinfusion and high intensity intraductal ultrasound needs further study.

Combined biliary and gastric bypass procedures as effective palliation for unresectable malignant disease

BACKGROUND

Although endoscopic treatment of jaundice is increasingly used in the palliation of unresectable malignant disease, surgical bypass still has a role to play in this setting. This study aimed to reappraise the short-term and long-term results of combined biliary/gastric bypass (hepaticojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy) as palliation for unresectable malignant disease.

METHODS

All patients undergoing simultaneous biliary and gastric bypass procedures for unresectable malignant disease between August 2000 and January 2006 were identified and outcomes reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred and two patients underwent open surgical biliary drainage procedures for palliation of malignant disease. Underlying malignant disease included pancreatic carcinoma (n = 88), duodenal adenocarcinoma (n = 6) and distal cholangiocarcinoma (n = 3). Thirty-one of the patients underwent a planned palliative bypass procedure, the remainder being carried out after unresectable disease was identified at laparotomy. Postoperative mortality and morbidity rates were higher in the group undergoing planned bypass. During follow up, two patients developed recurrent jaundice that required transhepatic stenting and two patients developed late gastric outlet obstruction requiring refashioning of the gastrojejunostomy.

CONCLUSION

Combined surgical biliary and gastric bypass achieved effective palliation of jaundice and gastric outlet obstruction until death in >95% of patients in this series. It remains first-line therapy in patients identified as having unresectable disease at laparotomy.

Palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice

Peri-ampullary and hepatic malignancies will frequently present with obstructive jaundice. For unresectable tumors, effective and lasting decompression of the biliary tree is essential to improve quality of life and survival. An overview of present treatment modalities for palliation of obstructive jaundice is provided, including a systematic review of the English literature regarding the optimum choice of palliation.

Surgical bypass vs. endoscopic stenting for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The majority of patients with pancreatic cancer are non-resectable and jaundiced at presentation. Methods of palliation in such patients with locally advanced disease comprise endoscopic placement of a biliary endoprosthesis or surgical bypass.

METHODS

This retrospective study compared morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, readmission rate and survival in consecutive patients with incurable locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 56 patients, of whom 33 underwent endoscopic stenting and 23 underwent a surgical bypass consisting of a hepaticojejunostomy-en-Y and a gastrojejunostomy. There were no significant differences in complication or mortality rates between patients undergoing palliative stenting and those undergoing palliative surgery. However, after excluding admissions for chemotherapy-related problems, the number of readmissions expressed as a percentage of the group population size was greater in stented patients compared with biliary bypass patients (39.4% vs. 13.0%, respectively; P < 0.05). Overall survival amongst patients undergoing palliative bypass was significantly greater than in stented patients (382 days vs. 135 days, respectively; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

On analysis of these data and the published literature, we conclude that surgical bypass represents an effective method of palliation for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients need to be carefully selected with regard to both operative risk and perceived overall survival.