Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy versus hepaticogastrostomy with antegrade stenting in patients with unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction: a propensity score-matched case-control study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) is a rescue procedure when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography fails. Peritonitis and recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) are adverse events (AEs) associated with EUS-HGS. Antegrade stenting across a malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO) followed by EUS-HGS (EUS-HGAS) creates two biliary drainage routes, potentially reducing peritonitis and prolonging time to RBO (TRBO). We compared the outcomes of the two techniques.

METHODS

Data of consecutive patients with MDBO who underwent attempted EUS-HGS or EUS-HGAS across five institutions from January 2014 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. A matched cohort of the patients was obtained using one-to-one propensity score matching. The primary outcome was TRBO, and secondary outcomes included AEs except for RBO and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Among 360 patients, 283 (176 and 107 in the HGS and HGAS groups, respectively) were eligible. The matched cohorts included 81 patients in each group. AEs developed in 10 (12.3%) and 15 (18.5%) patients (p=0.38) in the HGS and HGAS groups, respectively. RBO occurred in 18 and 2 patients in the HGS and HGAS groups, respectively (p<0.001). TRBO was significantly longer in the HGAS group (median 194 vs. 716 days; hazard ratio [HR]=0.050, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.0066-0.37, p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in OS between the groups (median 97 vs. 112 days; HR=0.97, 95% CI=0.66-1.4, p=0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-HGAS extended TRBO compared with EUS-HGS, while AEs, except for RBO and OS, did not differ. The longer TRBO of EUS-HGAS could benefit patients with longer life expectancy.

Asymptomatic Pneumoperitoneum With a Large Amount of Gas Appeared During Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage

We report a case in which a large amount of intraperitoneal free gas developed during endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage with the rendezvous technique. A 62-year-old woman presented with obstructive jaundice caused by a pancreatic head tumor. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was attempted but failed due to difficulty cannulating the bile duct. Consequently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy was performed using a fully covered metal stent. Subsequently, the rendezvous technique was employed to access the biliary system and perform an endoscopic sphincterotomy. Finally, a fully covered metal stent was placed transpapillary. Fluoroscopic imaging during the procedure revealed a large amount of gas between the liver and diaphragm. Despite the pneumoperitoneum, the patient experienced no abdominal pain or fever. One week later, a computed tomography scan confirmed the disappearance of free air in the intraperitoneal cavity. The patient's subsequent clinical course remained uneventful, and she was discharged from the hospital. This case highlights the potential for pneumoperitoneum to develop during endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage, particularly when using the rendezvous technique. It is crucial to differentiate this finding from gastrointestinal perforation based on clinical presentation and imaging features.

Moving scope technique improves technical success rate of device insertion during EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (with video)

Background

Technical tips for device insertion during endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) have not been reported. To improve the technical success rate of device insertion without unnecessary tract dilation, the pushing force should be transmitted directly from the channel of the echoendoscope to the intrahepatic bile duct.

Objectives

We developed a novel technique, termed the 'moving scope technique', the feasibility of which during EUS-HGS is described.

Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

The primary outcome of this study was the technical success rate of dilation device insertion without electrocautery dilation after the moving scope technique. The initial technical success rate of dilation device insertion was defined as successful insertion into the biliary tract. If dilation device insertion failed, the moving scope technique was attempted.

Results

A total of 143 patients were enrolled in this study. The initial technical success rate for device insertion was 80.4% (115/143). The moving scope technique was therefore attempted in 28 patients. The mean angle between the intrahepatic bile duct and the guidewire was improved to 141.0° and resulted in a technical success rate of 100% (28/28). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.88, and 120° predicted successful dilation device insertion with sensitivity of 88.0% and specificity of 78.8%. Bile peritonitis (n = 8) and cholangitis (n = 2) were observed as adverse events, but were not severe.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the moving scope technique may be helpful during EUS-HGS to achieve successful insertion of the dilation device into the biliary tract. These results should be evaluated in a prospective randomized controlled trial.

The Use of Oblique-viewing Endoscopic Ultrasound for Accessing the Afferent Limb for Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Biliary Drainage in Patients with Severe Stenotic Hepaticojejunal Anastomosis: One Case and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

The treatment of hepaticojejunal anastomotic strictures in patients with surgically altered anastomosis is challenging. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage is being established as a feasible biliary drainage procedure. How can oblique-viewing endoscopic ultrasound (OV-EUS) safely reach the treatment area in the afferent limb for EUS-guided hepaticojejunostomy? This is a key, meaningful, and challenging question.

METHODS

A unique case of an OV-EUS-guided hepaticojejunostomy performed in a patient with severe stenotic hepaticojejunal anastomosis was reported, and the relevant literatures were reviewed.

RESULTS

There are only 3 previous case reports of EUS-guided transanastomotic drainage using OV-EUS. The above 3 cases reported did not elaborate on the key treatment details of the procedure. Especially how can the OV-EUS safely reach the treatment area in the afferent limb?

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with severe anastomotic stricture, when the retrograde or antegrade guide wire cannot pass through the stenosis to establish biliary drainage, OV-EUS can safely reach the treatment area in the afferent limb under the guidance of a fluoroscopic view and a guide wire. Thus, an OV-EUS-guided hepaticojejunostomy can be achieved.

Liver impaction technique improves technical success rate of guidewire insertion during EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (with video)

Background

If the guidewire becomes kinked by the needle, guidewire manipulation may be difficult, and can cause complications such as guidewire shearing or injury during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS). To overcome this matter, we have previously described a technical tip for preventing guidewire injury, termed 'liver impaction technique'. However, its technical feasibility has been not reported in the setting of a large patient cohort.

Objectives

The aim of study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of the liver impaction technique during EUS-HGS.

Design

Retrospective, single-center study.

Methods

This retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent EUS-HGS between April 2018 and September 2022. The primary outcome of this study was the technical success rate of guidewire insertion using the liver impaction technique.

Results

A total of 166 patients were enrolled in this study. Initial successful guidewire insertion without using liver impaction technique was obtained in 108 patients (65.1%). Among 58 patients in whom guidewire insertion failed initially, guidewire advancement into the periphery of the bile duct was observed in 32 patients (55.2%) and into a non-interest bile duct branch was observed in 26 patients (44.8%). Liver impaction technique contributed to increasing the technical success rate of guidewire insertion from 65.1% to 95.8%. Overall, adverse events were observed in 12 patients (7.2%; bile peritonitis n = 9, cholangitis n = 3), and these adverse events were Grade I. Among patients who underwent liver impaction technique (n = 58), adverse events were observed in two patients (3.4%; bile peritonitis). Also, guidewire sharing was not observed in any patients during liver impaction technique.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the liver impaction technique may be helpful during EUS-HGS to obtain successful guidewire insertion into the biliary tract of interest.

Comparing endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade treatment and balloon endoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of bile duct stones in patients with surgically altered anatomy: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade treatment (EUS-AG) and balloon endoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP) have emerged as useful procedures for managing bile duct stones (BDS) in patients with surgically altered anatomy. However, the comparison between these two procedures has not been well studied. The aim of our study was to compare the clinical outcomes of EUS-AG and BE-ERCP for managing BDS in patients with surgically altered anatomy.

METHODS

The database was retrospectively evaluated at two tertiary care centers to identify patients with surgically altered anatomy who underwent either EUS-AG or BE-ERCP for BDS. Clinical outcomes were compared between the procedures. The success rate of each procedure was evaluated in three steps: endoscopic approach, biliary access, and stone extraction.

RESULTS

Among the 119 identified patients, 23 had EUS-AG, and 96 had BE-ERCP. The overall technical success rates of EUS-AG and BE-ERCP were 65.2% (15/23) and 69.8% (67/96), respectively (P = .80). The comparison of each step between the procedures EUS-AG versus BE-ERCP was as follows: endoscopic approach, 100% (23/23) versus 88.5% (85/96) (P = .11); biliary access, 73.9% (17/23) versus 80.0% (68/85) (P = .57); stone extraction, 88.2% (15/17) versus 98.5% (67/68) (P = .10). The overall adverse event rate was 17.4% (4/23) versus 7.3% (7/96) (P = .22).

CONCLUSIONS

Both EUS-AG and BE-ERCP are effective and relatively safe procedures in the management of BDS in patients with surgically altered anatomy. The challenging steps of each procedure might be different, which could help decide which one to use to manage BDS in patients with surgically altered anatomy.

Clinical evaluation of a novel drill dilator as the first-line tract dilation technique during EUS-guided biliary drainage by non-expert hands (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In cases where tract dilation fails using the initially selected dilation device during EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS), dilation should be re-attempted using another device. However, switching from one device to another during procedure is often associated with prolonged procedure time and deviation from the correct axis. Therefore, it is highly desired that the initial tract dilation succeeds on the first attempt. Recently, a novel drill dilator has become available in Japan. As there have been no previous studies comparing this novel device to others as an initial dilation device, here we report on the technical feasibility of this novel device for use during EUS-HGS, and compare it with a balloon catheter.

METHOD

This retrospective study included patients who underwent EUS-HGS using SEMS between October 2021 and October 2022. Excluded from the study were patients who underwent EUS-HGS using a plastic stent or stent deployment without tract dilation. The primary outcome in this study was the technical success rate of initial tract dilation using the drill dilator. This dilator has been available at our hospital since June 2022. Therefore, EUS-HGS was performed using this device as the primary dilation device from June 2022 to October 2022. As the control group, we corrected patients who underwent EUS-HGS using 4-mm balloon catheter as the primary dilation device from October 2021 to May 2022.

RESULT

A total of 49 patients were included, of whom 19 underwent EUS-HGS using the drill dilator and 30 underwent EUS-HGS using a balloon catheter. EUS-HGS using the drill dilator initially was performed mainly by non-expert hands (n=19), whereas only some in the balloon catheter group were performed by non-expert hands (n=2). Although the initial tract dilation was successful in all patients in the drill dilator group (19/19, 100%) and in 29/30 (97%) in the balloon catheter group, an additional tract dilation was needed in 73.7% (14/19) of the drill dilator group upon 8.5Fr stent delivery system insertion. On the other hand, the stent delivery system insertion was successful without an additional tract dilation in all patients of the balloon catheter group.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel drill dilator might be useful as a dilation device, however, the balloon dilation technique should be selected first upon deploying a dedicated metal stent with an 8.5Fr stent delivery system.

Current uses of electro-cautery lumen apposing metal stents in endoscopic ultrasound guided interventions

The electro-cautery lumen apposing metal stent (EC-LAMS) is a newly developed device that integrates the electro-cautery cyctotome with the one-step metal stent delivery and releasing system in recent years. LAMS was first designed to complete the drainage of pancreatic fluid collection under endoscopic ultrasound guidance, and the technological innovation of EC-LAMS has made more off-labeled indications of endoscopic intervention for gastrointestinal diseases realized, such as abdominal fluid drainage, bile duct, or gallbladder drainage through stomach or duodenum, gastrointestinal anastomosis, and the establishment of fistulous channel for further endoscopic operation when necessary. The unique feature of this metal stent is that it has the design of a saddle shape and a large lumen, and can almost connect the adjacent structures to minimize the risk of perforation and leakage. Compared with traditional LAMS, EC-LAMS, an advanced integrated device, can greatly simplify the endoscopic process, shorten the procedure time and reduce the technical difficulty, thus it can help endoscopists complete more complex endoscopic interventions. In this review, we discuss the state of art with regard to EC-LAMS and its endoscopic process, current indications, outcomes, adverse events, and future application prospects.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided hepaticogastrostomy using a novel laser-cut type partially covered self-expandable metal stent (with video)

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS) is of clinical benefit in patients with failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, some endoscopists are concerned about the potential risk of adverse events. Bile peritonitis due to bile leakage through the fistula is one of the possible adverse events following EUS-HGS. Recently, a novel laser-cut type partially covered self-expandable metal stent (PCSEMS), which is a dedicated stent for EUS-HGS, has become available. This stent has an uncovered part, despite it being a laser-cut type stent, along with a flared end. In addition, it uses a 7-Fr stent delivery. Therefore, tract dilation might not be needed to deploy the stent, which might reduce the incidence of stent migration. In this study, the safety of EUS-HGS using this novel laser-cut type PCSEMS was evaluated by assessing technical success, which was defined as successful stent deployment, and clinical success, which was defined as reduction in serum total bilirubin levels by 50% and resolution of symptoms related to biliary tract obstruction within 2 weeks. Five patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction underwent EUS-HGS using the novel stent. Stent deployment was successfully performed without tract dilation in four patients, although tract dilation using a balloon catheter was needed in one patient. Clinical success was obtained in all patients, and adverse events including abdominal pain and bile peritonitis were not observed in any of the patients. EUS-HGS without tract dilation can be safely performed using a novel laser-cut type PCSEMS. A prospective comparative study evaluating this stent versus conventional stents is needed to corroborate our results.

Comparing Outcomes Following Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage Versus Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage for Malignant Biliary Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTCD) in patients with malignant biliary obstruction and failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify studies reporting outcomes comparing EUS-BD and PTCD. Results: We identified 9 studies involving 469 patients. Technical success was similar for EUS-BD and PTCD (odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-3.30; P = .71). EUS-BD was associated with higher clinical success versus PTCD (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.15-3.87; P = .02) in all studies. However, there was no significant difference between groups in studies using self-expandable metal stents (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.06-2.00; P = .24). The reported adverse event rate was significantly lower for EUS-BD compared with PTCD (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.22-0.52; P < .00001). Conclusion: The available literature suggests that EUS-BD is associated with fewer adverse events, greater clinical success, and comparable technical success compared with PTCD. According to the shortcomings of our study, more large, high-quality, randomized controlled trials are needed to compare these techniques and confirm our findings.

Current Status of Endoscopic Biliary Drainage in Patients with Distal Malignant Biliary Obstruction

Distal malignant biliary obstruction is caused by various malignant diseases that require biliary drainage. In patients with operable situations, preoperative biliary drainage is required to control jaundice and cholangitis until surgery. In view of tract seeding, endoscopic biliary drainage is the first choice. Since neoadjuvant therapies are being developed, the time to surgery is increasing, especially in pancreatic cancer cases. Therefore, it requires long stent patency. Recently, preoperative biliary drainage using self-expandable metal stents has been reported as a useful modality to secure long stent patency. In patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary obstruction, self-expandable metal stent is the first choice for maintaining long stent patency. Although there are many comparison studies between a covered and an uncovered self-expandable metal stent, their use is still controversial. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage has been performed as an alternative treatment. The clinical success and stent patency are favorable. We should take into consideration that both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided biliary drainage and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage have advantages and disadvantages and chose the drainage method depending on the patient’s situation or the expertise of the endoscopist. Here, we discuss the current status of endoscopic biliary drainage in patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction.

Endoscopic Management of Malignant Biliary Stricture

A biliary stricture is an area of narrowing in the extrahepatic or intrahepatic biliary system. The majority of biliary strictures are caused by malignancies, particularly cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Most malignant biliary strictures are unresectable at diagnosis. Treatment of these diseases historically required surgical procedures, however, the development of endoscopic techniques has provided alternative minimally invasive treatment options to improve patient quality of life and survival with unresectable disease. While endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stent placement has been the cornerstone of biliary drainage for decades, cutting edge endoscopic developments, including radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage, offer new therapy options to patients that historically have a poor quality of life and a grim prognosis. In this review, we explore the endoscopic techniques that have contributed to revolutionary advancements in the endoscopic management of malignant biliary strictures.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided biliary drainage for primary treatment of distal malignant biliary obstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Current evidence supporting the utility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) as primary treatment for distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) is limited. We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the performance of EUS-BD and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided biliary drainage (ERCP-BD) as primary palliation of distal MBO.

METHODS

We searched several databases for comparative studies evaluating EUS-BD vs. ERCP-BD in primary drainage of distal MBO up to 28 February 2019. Primary outcomes were technical success and clinical success. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, stent patency, stent dysfunction, tumor in/overgrowth, reinterventions, procedure duration, and overall survival.

RESULTS

Four studies involving 302 patients were qualified for the final analysis. There was no difference in technical success (risk ratio [RR] 1.00; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.93-1.08), clinical success (RR 1.00; 95% CI 0.94-1.06) and total adverse events (RR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.31-1.48) between the two procedures. EUS-BD was associated with lower rates of post-procedure pancreatitis (RR 0.12; 95% CI 0.02-0.62), stent dysfunction (RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.32-0.91), and tumor in/overgrowth (RR 0.22; 95% CI 0.07-0.76). No differences were noted in reinterventions (RR 0.59; 95% CI 0.21-1.69), procedure duration (weighted mean difference -2.11; 95% CI -9.51 to 5.29), stent patency (hazard ratio [HR] 0.61; 95% CI 0.34-1.11), and overall survival (HR 1.00; 95% CI 0.66-1.51).

CONCLUSIONS

With adequate endoscopy expertise, EUS-BD could show similar efficacy and safety when compared with ERCP-BD for primary palliation of distal MBO and exhibits several clinical advantages.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy using a thin stent delivery system in patients with unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction: A prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

When endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) fails in patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction, endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) is an alternative. It has high technical and clinical success rates, but also has high adverse event rates. This prospective cohort study was aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of EUS-CDS with our newly developed partially covered self-expandable metal stent with a thin delivery system.

METHODS

Patients consisted of all consecutive patients in three tertiary referral centers with unresectable malignant distal obstruction in whom ERCP failed and in whom EUS-CDS with the thin delivery system was selected as the second-line approach. Rates of clinical success, technical success, technical success in cases not requiring fistulous tract dilation, adverse events, and stent dysfunction were determined.

RESULTS

In the 20 patients, technical and clinical success rates were 95.0% (19/20) and 100% (19/19), respectively. In 31.6% (6/19), the delivery system was successfully inserted into the bile duct without requiring a fistulous-tract dilatation device. These patients had significantly shorter procedure times than patients requiring fistulous-tract dilatation (12.7 ± 3.1 vs 23.2 ± 2.1 min; P < 0.01). One patient (5.0%) who required fistulous dilation had an adverse event, which was managed conservatively. There were no procedure-related deaths. During follow up, four patients (21.1%) developed stent dysfunction. Reintervention was successful in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The EUS-CDS approach had 95% technical and 100% clinical success rates, with adverse events reported in 5% of cases. EUS-CDS may become safer if efforts are made to avoid the dilation step (UMIN 000023938).

Current uses and outcomes of lumen-apposing metal stents

The lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is one of the revolutionary devices recently developed for gastrointestinal endoscopy. This device has a saddle-shaped design and large lumen. It was originally designed for drainage of transmural pancreatic fluid collection and in the last few years it has been used extensively for that indication. More recently, other in- and off-label indications have been proposed. Several types of LAMS are available, with or without an electrocautery-enhanced delivery system. In the current review we discuss the state of the art with regard to LAMS and their indications, usage, and outcomes.

Is EUS-guided drainage a suitable alternative technique in case of proximal biliary obstruction?

BACKGROUND

Results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUBD) are unknown in case of proximal stricture. The aim is to assess clinical outcomes of EUBD in patients with malignant hilar obstruction.

METHODS

Patients undergoing EUBD with hilar strictures were prospectively included. Primary outcome was clinical success at 7 and 30 days (defined by 50% bilirubin decrease). Secondary outcomes were technical success, procedure-related complications, length of hospital stay, reintervention rate, survival and chemotherapy administration.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients with a mean age of 68.8 years were included. On 15 classable stenosis, 7 (47%) were noted Bismuth I-II, 7 (47%) Bismuth III, and 1 (6.7%) Bismuth IV. Reasons for EUBD were surgically modified anatomy in 10 patients (55.6%), impassable stricture at ERCP in 7 (38.9%) and duodenal obstruction in 1 (5.6%). Only hepaticogastrostomy was performed. Clinical success was at day 7 and 30 respectively 72.2% and 68.8%. Technical success was 94%. Complications occurred in 3 (16.7%) patients. Median (range) length of hospital stay was 10 (6-35) days. Reintervention rate was 16.7%. Median (range) survival was 79 (5-390) days. Chemotherapy was possible in 10 (55.6%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

EUBD is feasible for hilar obstruction for surgically altered anatomy or after ERCP failure. Clinical outcome is satisfactory when considering underlying advanced disease, allowing chemotherapy.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a meta-analysis

The failure rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for biliary cannulation is approximately 6%–7% in cases of obstructive jaundice. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is the procedure of choice in such cases. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EGBD) is a novel technique that allows biliary drainage by echoendoscopy and fluoroscopy using a stent from the biliary tree to the gastrointestinal tract. Information in PubMed, Scopus, clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane review were analyzed to obtain studies comparing EGBD and PTBD. Six studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Technical (odds ratio (OR): 0.34; confidence interval (CI) 0.10–1.14; p=0.05) and clinical (OR: 1.48; CI 0.46–4.79; p=0.51) success rates were not statistically significant between the EGBD and PTBD groups. Mild adverse events were nonsignificantly different (OR: 0.36; CI 0.10–1.24; p=0.11) but not the moderate-to-severe adverse events (OR: 0.16; CI 0.08–0.32; p≤0.00001) and total adverse events (OR: 0.34; CI 0.20–0.59; p≤0.0001). EGBD is equally effective but safer than PTBD.

Optimal biliary access point and learning curve for endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy with transmural stenting

BACKGROUND

Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) with transmural stenting has increased for biliary decompression in patients with an inaccessible papilla, the optimal biliary access point and the learning curve of EUS-HGS have not been studied. We evaluated the optimal biliary access point and learning curve for technically successful EUS-HGS.

METHODS

129 consecutive patients (male n = 81, 62.3%; malignant n = 113, 87.6%) who underwent EUS-HGS due to an inaccessible papilla were enrolled. EUS finding and procedure times according to each needle puncture attempt in EUS-HGS were prospectively measured. Learning curves of EUS-HGS were calculated for two main outcome measurements (procedure time and adverse events) by using the moving average method and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

A total of 174 EUS-HGS attempts were performed in 129 patients. The mean number of needle punctures was 1.35 ± 0.57. Using the logistic regression model, bile duct diameter of the puncture site ⩽ 5 mm [odds ratio (OR) 3.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.71-8.1, p < 0.01] and hepatic portion length [linear distance from the mural wall to the punctured bile duct wall on EUS; mean hepatic portion length was 27 mm (range 10-47 mm)] > 3 cm (OR 5.7, 95% CI: 2.7-12, p < 0.01) were associated with low technical success. Procedure time and adverse events were shorter after 24 cases, and stabilized at 33 cases of EUS-HGS, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that a bile duct diameter > 5 mm and hepatic portion length 1 cm to ⩽ 3 cm on EUS may be suitable for successful EUS-HGS. In our learning curve analysis, over 33 cases might be required to achieve the plateau phase for successful EUS-HGS.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade stenting in an occluded biliary self-expandable metal stent

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is an attractive option for patients who cannot undergo conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and do not want surgery or percutaneous drainage procedures. We present the use of EUS-antegrade (EUS-AG) insertion of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) in a patient with a common hepatic duct cholangiocarcinoma, as well as a huge gastric lipoma, after recurrent biliary obstruction of a prior SEMS inserted via ERCP in the same session as a duodenal stent insertion for gastric outlet obstruction.