Long-term outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy in patients with malignant biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND

Hepaticogastrostomy drainage through endoscopic ultrasound (EUS-HGS) has emerged in the 2010s as a new technique for biliary decompression in cases of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) failure for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Substantial technical and procedural progress in performing EUS-HGS has been achieved, allowing high technical and clinical success and an acceptable risk of adverse events in studies mainly focusing on short-term outcomes. However, the long-term effects of EUS-HGS and the risk of recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) have not been fully evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the long-term effects of EUS-HGS and the risk of RBO.

METHODS

Data from 211 patients undergoing technically successful EUS-HGS in three academic centers were retrospectively collected. Clinical success, adverse events, RBO, and reinterventions were evaluated.

RESULTS

In total, 198 patients underwent technically successful EUS-HGS for MBO. The median overall survival was 144 days [108, 2011] after the procedure. Mean patient age was 69.39 (12.91) years. The cause of MBO was pancreatic cancer (n = 98, 49.5%) followed by cholangiocarcinoma (n = 29, 14.6%). The location of MBO was distal in 27.6% of cases and proximal in 68.4%. Adverse events were observed during the follow-up in 65 patients (33%). On multivariate analysis, the use of partially covered self-expandable metal stents (PCSEMS) was associated with a lower risk of RBO (HR = 0.47 [0.24-0.95], p = 0.034). Additionally, patients with distal stenoses had a trend toward better stent patency (HR = 0.06[0-0.77], p = 0.031). RBO developed in 38 cases (19.1%) mainly due tumor ingrowth (36.8%) with a high success rate of endoscopic management.

CONCLUSIONS

While RBO occurred in a notable proportion of patients, the primary cause of mortality was progression of the underlying malignancy rather than stent dysfunction. The efficiency of stents, particularly PCSEMS, and the high success rate of endoscopic management for RBO underscore the effectiveness and reliability of these treatments in managing biliary complications.

Is endoscopic radiofrequency ablation plus stent placement superior to stent placement alone for the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction? A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Recent studies have shown that endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) may improve survival. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy of ERFA in combination with biliary stent placement for the treatment of MBO.

METHODS

The study was registered in INPLASY (number 202340096). The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched from inception to April 2023. We selected studies comparing the efficacy of ERFA plus stent placement with stent placement alone. The primary outcomes were pooled hazard ratios (HRs) for overall survival and stent patency; the secondary outcomes were the odds ratios (ORs) for adverse events.

RESULTS

Eleven studies (four randomized controlled trials and seven observational studies) were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis showed a difference in survival time between the two groups (HR 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58-0.73, I2 = 40%). However, there were no differences in the duration of stent patency or the incidence of adverse events (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.84-1.29, I2 = 46%; OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.02-1.96, I2 = 29%).

CONCLUSIONS

ERFA has a significant survival benefit for MBO, but does not increase the risk of adverse events.

Factors related to stent patency and early elimination of jaundice using bile duct stent combined with iodine-125 seed implantation in malignant obstructive jaundice

Purpose

Biliary stents combined with percutaneous or endoscopic ultrasound-guided iodine-125 seed implantation into primary tumor have been confirmed to relieve malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ), and prolong patient's stent patency. The aim of the study was to evaluate meaningful clinical application indications and better guide the application of this technology.

Material and methods

Patients with MOJ, who have received bile duct stenting combined with iodine-125 (¹²⁵I) seed implantation from October, 2010 to April, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were adopted to indicate factors of stent patency in MOJ and influencing factors of jaundice reduction at one week after surgery.

Results

A total of 90 patients were enrolled into the study, including 52 males (57.8%) and 38 females (42.2%), with a mean age of 68.66 ±12.53 years. The median stent patency was 8 months. No serious adverse events occurred during follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that Child-Pugh score (HR = 2.221, 95% CI: 1.081-4.562), biliary infection (HR = 1.901, 95% CI: 1.084-3.335), and pre-operative jaundice duration (HR = 1.977, 95% CI: 1.106-3.533) were the independent risk factors for stent patency. Child-Pugh B/C (OR = 4.647, 95% CI: 1.080-19.982) and bile duct infection (OR = 3.583, 95% CI: 1.095-11.725) were the independent risk factors for jaundice reduction at one week after surgery.

Conclusions

MOJ patients treated with biliary stents combined with ¹²⁵I seed implantation, and patients with better pre-operative liver function and no biliary tract infection, present not only longer biliary stent patency, but also better early jaundice reduction.

Impact of a shorter replacement interval of plastic stents on premature stent exchange rate in benign and malignant biliary strictures

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The main disadvantage of plastic stents is the high rate of stent occlusion. The usual replacement interval of biliary plastic stents is 3 months. This study aimed to investigate if a shorter interval of 6-8 weeks impacts the median premature exchange rate (mPER) in benign and malignant biliary strictures.

METHODS

All cases with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and plastic stent placement were retrospectively analyzed since establishing an elective replacement interval of every 6-8 weeks at our institution and mPER was determined.

RESULTS

A total of 3979 ERCPs (1199 patients) were analyzed, including 1262 (31.7%) malignant and 2717 (68.3%) benign cases, respectively. The median stent patency (mSP) was 41 days (range 14-120) for scheduled stent exchanges, whereas it was 17 days (1-75) for prematurely exchanged stents. The mPER was significantly higher for malignant (28.1%, 35-50%) compared with benign strictures (15.2%, 10-28%), P < 0.0001, respectively. mSP was significantly shorter in cases with only one stent (34 days [1-87] vs 41 days [1-120]) and in cases with only a 7-Fr stent (28 days [2-79]) compared with a larger stent (34 days [1-87], P = 0.001). Correspondingly, mPER was significantly higher in cases with only one stent (23% vs 16.2%, P < 0.0001) and only a 7-Fr stent (31.3% vs 22.4%, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

A shorter replacement interval does not seem to lead to a clinically meaningful reduction of mPER in benign and malignant strictures. Large stents and multiple stenting should be favored as possible.

Iodine-125 Seeds Combined With Biliary Stent Placement Versus Stent Placement Alone For Unresectable Malignant Biliary Obstruction: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background and Aims: Malignant biliary obstruction is always caused by tumors which are unresectable so that palliative stent placement is conducted for drainage of bile duct tree. Recently, irradiation stent with 125I seeds has been used to improve the stent patency and survival time of patients. We conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of biliary stent placement with 125I seeds compared with stent placement alone in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Library, Embase and CNKI databases for all relevant studies up to 1 May 2020. Patient survival, stent patency, and adverse events were the primary outcome measured. Also, Review Manager 5.3 and Stata/SE15.0 were used to perform the analysis. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials with a total of 767 patients were included for meta-analysis. Stent combined with 125I seeds showed lower risk of stent occlusion at 3 month (Odds Ratios(OR) = 0.15; 95%CI: 0.05-0.49, P =0.002), 6 month (OR = 0.18; 95%CI: 0.08-0.44, P = 0.0001), 9 month (OR = 0.10; 95%CI: 0.05-0.20, P < 0.00001) and 1 year (OR = 0.15; 95%CI: 0.07-0.31, P < 0.00001) and better mean survival (MD = 125days; 95% CI 91-159 days; P < 0.00001) compared with stent placement alone. Also, reconstructed Kaplan-Meier data demonstrated improved survival in patients treated with stent plus 125I seeds (hazard ratio(HR)= 1.886; 95% CI: 1.609 to 2.210; P < 0.0001) Moreover, our analysis did not show significant difference between the two groups about the risk of adverse events including abdominal pain, hemobilia, pancreatitis, cholangitis and cholecystitis. Conclusion: 125I seeds combined with stent demonstrated superior stent patency and improved survival time compared to stent alone with acceptable complications.

Treatment of Femoropopliteal Lesions With the BioMimics 3D Vascular Stent System: Two-Year Results From the MIMICS-2 Trial

PURPOSE

To report the safety and effectiveness outcomes through 2 years of the BioMimics 3D Vascular Stent System in the treatment of symptomatic patients with atherosclerotic femoropopliteal disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The tubular, nitinol BioMimics 3D stent, which was designed to impart a helical shape to the arterial segment, was implanted in 271 patients (mean age 68.4±9.5 years; 180 men) with de novo femoropopliteal lesions enrolled at 43 investigational sites [31 US (n=162), 6 German (n=78), and 6 Japanese (n=31)] in the prospective, single-arm MIMICS-2 investigational device exemption trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02400905) between June 2015 and October 2016. Mean lesion length was 81.2±38.4 mm, 30.0% of patients had total occlusions, and 45.9% had moderate to severe calcification. Primary safety and effectiveness endpoints were compared at 1 year with prespecified objective performance goals (OPGs) set by the VIVA Physicians organization. Outcomes through 2 years are reported.

RESULTS

The primary effectiveness endpoint of 12-month primary stent patency was met by 182 of 249 patients (73.1%, 95% CI 67.3% to 78.2%), exceeding the OPG of 66%. The primary safety endpoint of 30-day freedom from major adverse events (MAEs) was met in 268 of 269 patients (99.6%, 95% CI 97.7% to 100%), exceeding the OPG of 88%. Kaplan-Meier estimates of freedom from loss of primary patency were 83.1% at 12 months and 70.2% at 24 months, freedom from MAEs estimates were 86.9% at 12 months and 79.2% at 24 months, and freedom from clinically-driven target lesion revascularization estimates were 88.0% at 12 months and 83.0% at 24 months. At 24 months, 88.2% of patients showed improvement of ≥1 Rutherford category; the ankle-brachial index was >0.9 for 64.4% vs 11.3% at baseline. There were no cases of stent fracture.

CONCLUSION

Through 24 months, the BioMimics 3D Vascular Stent System provided safe and effective treatment for femoropopliteal lesions in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease.

Type of anti-thrombotic therapy for venous stenting in patients with non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions does not influence the development of in-stent restenosis

BACKGROUND

In patients receiving stents for symptomatic non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions, many clinicians prescribe anti-thrombotic medications. Whether or not anti-coagulation post-venous stenting improves stent patency is unknown. The aim of this investigation is to determine whether prophylactic post-operative anti-thrombotic therapy improves stent patency and/or prevents in-stent restenosis.

METHODS

The medical records and venous ultrasounds for 389 patients stented for non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into three anti-thrombotic regimens: Clopidogrel, Aspirin and Clopidogrel, and Apixaban or Rivaroxaban. Patients were routinely assessed for restenosis and stent patency at 6, 26, and 52 weeks and treated with anti-thrombotics for 90 days.

RESULTS

Freedom from in-stent restenosis at 6, 26, and 52 weeks were Clopidogrel (91.50, 82.91, 80.95%), Aspirin and Clopidogrel (88.68, 80.03, 80.03%), and Apixaban or Rivaroxaban (91.03, 85.11, 83.18%). Primary patencies were Clopidogrel (98.77, 98.77, 98.10%), Aspirin and Clopidogrel (100, 95.74, 95.74%), and Apixaban or Rivaroxaban (98.70, 98.70, 96.71%). There were no statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

The type of post-operative anti-thrombotic therapy for non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions does not appear to improve stent patency or prevent the development of in-stent restenosis.

Clinical outcomes after multiple self-expandable metallic stent placement using stent-in-stent technique for malignant gastric outlet obstruction

Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement is widely used for relieving symptoms in malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple gastroduodenal stent placement using the stent-in-stent technique and to identify factors predictive of stent patency.We retrospectively analyzed data from 170 patients with GOO receiving SEMS using the stent-in-stent technique between July 2006 and July 2018. Of these, 90 had been treated with SEMS placement for MGOO. Technical and clinical success rates were evaluated. Clinical outcomes and predictors of stent patency were also analyzed.Second SEMS placement was used in 34.4% of cases and 9.7% were treated with third SEMS placement because of prior stent dysfunction. Median stent patency time was 15.7 weeks for the first SEMS, 10.4 weeks for the second, and 11.3 weeks for the third. The technical and clinical success rates were 100% and 97.8% for the first SEMS, 100% and 90.3% for the second, respectively, and both 100% for the third. Multivariable analysis showed that use of covered SEMS and chemotherapy after first and second SEMS placement was significant predictors of stent patency. Serious complications such as bleeding or perforation did not occur in any patient.Second and third gastroduodenal SEMS placement using the stent-in-stent technique is safe and effective for management of first stent dysfunction in MGOO. Stent patency is significantly associated with the use of covered SEMS and chemotherapy after SEMS placement.

Clinical Outcomes of Bilateral Stent-in-Stent Placement Using Self-Expandable Metallic Stent for High-Grade Malignant Hilar Biliary Obstruction

PURPOSE

Endoscopic bile duct decompression using bilateral self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) deployed via a stent-in-stent (SIS) method is considered a preferred procedure for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). However, occlusion thereof occurs frequently. Here, we investigated stent patency duration and risk factors related to stent obstruction with bilateral SIS placement for MHBO at two large centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study reviewed data on patients with MHBO who underwent endoscopic biliary drainage using the SIS method. Clinical outcomes, including stent patency duration and patient overall survival, were analyzed. Factors associated with stent patency were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Seventy patients with MHBO underwent endoscopic biliary drainage using the SIS method. Median age was 68 years old, and median follow-up duration was 140 days (interquartile range, 57-329). The proportion of high-grade MHBOs (Bismuth type IV) was 57.1%. Median stent patency duration with the SIS method was 108 days according to Kaplan-Meier curves. Median patient survival analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method was 181 days. Multivariate analysis indicated that higher baseline bilirubin (> 6.1 mg/dL) as an independent risk factor related to stent patency (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In endoscopic biliary decompression using SEMS placed with the SIS method, obstructive jaundice was a risk factor for stent patency. The SIS method for high-grade MHBO showed short stent patency.

Reintervention for occluded metal stent in malignant bile duct obstruction: A prospective randomized trial comparing covered and uncovered metal stent

BACKGROUND AND AIM

No prospective data are available on comparing covered and uncovered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) for reintervention of occluded uncovered metal stents during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction.

METHODS

From June 2010 to November 2014, 43 patients with inoperable distal biliary obstruction of a previously placed uncovered SEMS were enrolled from three centers in Korea and randomly assigned to covered (n = 22) or uncovered SEMS group (n = 21). The primary outcome was overall stent patency. Secondary outcome was time-to-stent occlusion, patient survival, cause of stent occlusion, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Overall median patency of secondary stent was 112.0 days. Median stent patency of covered and uncovered SEMS was 112.0 and 181.0 days, respectively, (P = 0.373). There was a tendency towards a longer time-to-stent occlusion in uncovered SEMS group (median: 112.0 vs 181.0 days). However, it did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.214). Most common causes of occlusion were stent clogging (36.4%) and tumor ingrowth (33.3%) in covered and uncovered SEMS groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in median survival between the groups (median: 308 vs 300 days; P = 0.325). Acute cholangitis occurred in four patients (three in covered vs one in uncovered SEMS group, P = 0.607).

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory trial, there were no statistically significant differences in stent patency, time-to-stent occlusion, patient survival, and complication rates between covered and uncovered SEMS groups. Larger confirmatory multicenter trial is needed for the clear conclusion (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01315522).

Inflammation-based prognostic score predicts biliary stent patency in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND

An inflammation-based prognostic score, the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), has been reported to be useful for predicting postoperative survival in patients with various types of cancer. However, no studies have investigated whether the mGPS can predict biliary stent (BS) patency in patients undergoing BS placement for unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (UMBO).

AIM

To evaluate the usefulness of the mGPS for predicting BS patency in patients undergoing intraoperative placement of uncovered expandable metallic stents (EMSs) for UMBO.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The mGPS was calculated as follows: patients with both an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level (>1.0 mg/dl) and hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dl) were allocated a score of 2. Patients with only an elevated CRP level were allocated a score of 1, and patients without an elevated CRP level were allocated a score of 0. EMS patency was compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test between the two groups (mGPS 0 vs. mGPS 1 or 2). The significant risk factors for EMS occlusion were investigated by Cox proportional hazards model analysis.

RESULTS

Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with mGPS 1 (n=7) and 2 (n=19) had a lower EMS patency rate (p=0.014) than patients with mGPS 0 (n=37). Although univariate analyses revealed that a high serum total bilirubin level, stent-in-stent placement, and mGPS 1 or 2 were significant risk factors predictive of EMS occlusion, multivariate analysis demonstrated that no independent risk factors were significant.

CONCLUSION

mGPS is a significant predictor of EMS patency in patients undergoing intraoperative placement of BS.