Comparative study of 4 Fr versus 6 Fr nasobiliary drainage catheters: a randomized, controlled trial

Nasobiliary drainage: an effective treatment for pruritus in cholestatic liver disease

INTRODUCTION

Nasobiliary drains (NBDs) have been successfully used to manage intrahepatic cholestasis, bile leaks and obstructive cholangitis. It allows external drainage of bile, bypassing the ileum where bile salts are reabsorbed. We assessed the utility of placement with effect on markers of cholestasis and patient symptoms.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing NBD over 12 years for the management of pruritus were retrospectively analysed. Recorded variables included patient demographics, procedural characteristics and response to therapy.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients (14, 61% male) underwent 30 episodes of NBD. The median age was 26 years old (range 2-67 years old). A single procedure was carried out in 20. One patient each had two, three and five episodes of NBD. The most common aetiologies were hereditary cholestatic disease (n=17, 74%) and drug-induced cholestasis (n=5, 22%),NBD remained in situ for a median of 8 days (range 1-45 days). Significant improvement in bilirubin was seen at 7 days post-NBD (p=0.0324), maintained at day 30 (335 μmol/L vs 302 µmol/L vs 167 µmol/L). There was symptomatic improvement in pruritus in 20 (67%, p=0.0494) episodes. One patient underwent NBD during the first trimester of pregnancy after medical therapy failure with a good symptomatic response. The catheters were well tolerated in 27 (90%) of cases. Mild pancreatitis occurred in 4 (13%) cases.

CONCLUSION

NBD can be used to provide symptomatic improvement to patients with pruritus associated with cholestasis. It is well tolerated by patients. They can be used in pregnancy where medical management has failed.

Effectiveness of a modified 6-Fr endoscopic nasobiliary drainage catheter for patients with preoperative perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

To decrease complications associated with preoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients, we developed a modified 6-Fr ENBD catheter with multiple side holes (m-ENBD). The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the m-ENBD catheter with a conventional 7-Fr ENBD catheter (c-ENBD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study involved 371 patients with suspected perihilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent ENBD using a c-ENBD catheter or an m-ENBD catheter. The effectiveness of each catheter and the incidence of complications were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses followed by propensity score matching were performed.

RESULTS

In 145 patients with total bilirubin levels ≥ 2.0 mg/dL prior to drainage, these levels decreased to < 2.0 mg/dL after ENBD in 81.1 % of the c-ENBD patients and in 74.0 % of the m-ENBD patients ( P  = 0.325). Post-ENBD cholangitis occurred in 24.9 % of the c-ENBD patients and in 12.4 % of the m-ENBD patients ( P  = 0.006). After propensity score matching, the rate of post-ENBD cholangitis ( P  = 0.007) and the number of patients requiring subsequent or additional drainage ( P  = 0.030) were significantly lower in the m-ENBD group.

CONCLUSION

The modified 6-Fr ENBD catheter was associated with a lower incidence of post-ENBD cholangitis than the conventional 7-Fr ENBD catheter, and the incidence of subsequent or additional drainage procedures was also decreased.

Use of 4-Fr versus 6-Fr Nasobiliary Catheter for Biliary Drainage: A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Study

Background and Aim. Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (NBD) effects according to diameter remain unclear. We aimed to assess the drainage effects of the 4-Fr and 6-Fr NBD catheters. Methods. This prospective, multicenter, randomized, controlled study was conducted at Hiroshima University Hospital and related facilities within Hiroshima Prefecture. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 246 patients revealed acute cholangitis, obstructive jaundice, and/or extrahepatic cholestasis; 4-Fr or 6-Fr NBD catheters were randomly allocated and placed in these patients. The primary endpoint was the efficacy of NBD based on the technical success rate and clinical success (rates of change in blood test and amount of bile output). Secondary endpoints included the spontaneous catheter displacement rate and nasal discomfort. Results. The technical success rate and clinical success did not differ significantly between groups. No spontaneous catheter displacement was noted in either group. Nasal discomfort due to catheter placement was significantly lower in the 4-Fr group versus the 6-Fr group (24 h after ERCP: 2.4 versus 3.5 cm, P = 0.005; 48 h after ERCP: 2.2 versus 3.1 cm, P = 0.01). Conclusion. The 4-Fr NBD catheter was not inferior to 6-Fr NBD catheter in terms of clinical success; the 4-Fr NBD catheter was useful to reduce nasal discomfort.

Endoscopic Hands-Off Technique versus Conventional Technique for Conversion from an Orobiliary to a Nasobiliary Tube

Background. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of the endoscopic hands-off technique and the conventional technique when repositioning an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube from the mouth to the nose. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) performed between July 2013 and May 2015 at a single tertiary referral center. A total of 1187 ERCPs were performed during the study period. Among them, 114 patients who underwent ENBD were enrolled in this study. In those patients, we used the endoscopic hands-off technique between July 2013 and May 2014 (endoscopy group) and the conventional technique between June 2014 and May 2015 (conventional group). Results. Technical success was achieved in 100% (58/58) of the endoscopy group and 94.6% (53/56) of the conventional group (P = 0.115). In the 3 cases of failed conventional technique, the endoscopic hands-off technique was then performed, and conversion of the ENBD tube was successful in all of these patients. The procedure time was significantly shorter in the endoscopy group than in the conventional group (124 s versus 149 s, P = 0.001). Conclusion. The endoscopic hands-off technique was feasible and effective for oral-nasal conversion of an ENBD tube.

Early dual drainage combining transpapillary endotherapy and percutaneous catheter drainage in patients with pancreatic fistula associated with severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

The development of pancreatic fistula (PF) associated with pancreatic necrosis is of great concern in the management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We expected that early recognition and intervention of PF combined with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) for pancreatic infection may improve SAP outcomes.

METHODS

Fifteen consecutive patients with SAP were enrolled. Whenever feasible, fine-needle aspiration for fluid collection was performed to determine infection and amylase concentration. For infection and PF with amylase-rich fluid, PCD and transpapillary endotherapy (preferably naso-pancreatic drainage) were carried out as soon as possible. PCD was intensively managed by irrigating the sized-up and multiple large bore catheters.

RESULTS

Infected fluid collection and PF were both detected in 13 (86.7%) patients. Pancreatic duct (PD) disruption (n = 6) and organ failure (n = 5) occurred exclusively in patients with amylase-rich collection ≥10,000 U/L. The median timing of PCD and endotherapy was 15.5 and 16.5 days, respectively. No serious complications or mortality resulted from intervention procedures other than stent occlusion in one (6.7%) patient. Surgical intervention due to uncontrollable infection and visceral organ injury was avoided. Fistula closure was achieved in 12 (92.3%) of 13 PF patients with a median duration of 45 days. Disease-related mortality occurred in one (6.7%) patient.

CONCLUSION

Amylase-rich fluid collection ≥10,000 U/L may be an indication for further endoscopic investigation of PD disruption. Early dual drainage combining pancreatic endotherapy and PCD is feasible and safe, and may improve treatment outcome.

The safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in the treatment of refractory cholestatic pruritus: a multicentre European study

BACKGROUND

Pruritus is a common symptom associated with cholestatic liver diseases. To date only small single centre case series have suggested efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in relieving cholestatic pruritus.

AIM

To perform a multicentre study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of nasobiliary drainage in cholestatic pruritus.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all patients treated with nasobiliary drainage for refractory cholestatic pruritus between 2006 and 2015 at five European centres. Pruritus was quantified using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and liver enzymes, serum bilirubin and total serum bile salts (TBS) were measured before (pre-NBD) and after nasobiliary drainage (post-NBD). We analysed the duration of treatment response and associated complications.

RESULTS

In total, 27 patients (59% females) underwent 29 nasobiliary drainage procedures. The median duration of NBD was 7 days. NBD decreased pruritus in 89.6% of cases (VAS from 10.0 to 0.3, P < 0.0001). The median percentage decline in pruritus VAS was 94% and 33% of patients were free of pruritus within 24 h of starting drainage. The duration of treatment response was independent of duration of drainage (P = 0.12) and bile output. Significant improvements were seen in the median levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.001) and serum bilirubin (P = 0.03) but not in serum TBS (P = 0.07). Mild post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (31%) was the most frequent complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Nasobiliary drainage is effective in relieving cholestatic pruritus in most patients and has favourable effect on biomarkers of cholestasis. Nasobiliary drainage may be associated with high risk of adverse events, especially pancreatitis. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for obstructive jaundice using either a 5 Fr or 7 Fr catheter: a prospective, randomized trial

Background

The influence of size on the effectiveness of nasobiliary catheters has not yet been studied. We compared biliary drainage effectiveness and procedure-related discomfort and adverse events in 5 French (Fr) and 7 Fr nasobiliary catheters.

Methods

We prospectively studied 100 patients undergoing endoscopic biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice, who were randomly allocated to a 5 Fr or 7 Fr nasobiliary catheter group. As the primary endpoint, the effectiveness was evaluated by the serum total bilirubin decreasing rate and the success rate of jaundice relief. As the secondary endpoint, the degree of discomfort was investigated using a questionnaire survey after catheter removal.

Results

The bilirubin decrease rate was significantly higher in the 7 Fr catheter group than in the 5 Fr group (53.0 ± 21.4% vs 40.5 ± 29.9%, respectively; P = 0.019). The success rate of jaundice relief tended to be higher in the 7 Fr catheter group, although the difference was not statistically significant (98% vs 88%, respectively; P = 0.056). The questionnaire survey demonstrated that total discomfort was significantly greater in the 7 Fr group (3.9 ± 1.5 vs 3.2 ± 1.4, respectively; P = 0.018). Larger-diameter catheters tended to increase difficulty in eating, although the difference between the groups was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

7 Fr nasobiliary catheters are recommended for patients requiring rapid and reliable relief of obstructive jaundice. However, because they can cause greater discomfort, 5 Fr nasobiliary catheters are preferred in other settings.

Trial registration

On July 1, 2012; UMIN000008288 (Japan Primary Registries Network).

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-230X-14-161) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.