Salvage Techniques for Difficult Biliary Cannulation: A Retrospective Study of 1021 Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Cases in a Tertiary Referral Center

Although some salvage techniques have been developed to overcome difficult biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), few reports analyzed the choice of techniques and their clinical outcomes in large cohorts. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of biliary cannulation in patients with initial treatment papillae. We retrospectively identified 1021 patients who underwent initial ERCP from January 2013 to March 2020. We investigated background factors, treatment details, success rates, and adverse event rates. Then we analyzed a series of treatment processes, including salvage techniques such as double guidewire technique (DGT), needle knife pre-cutting (NKP), and transpancreatic pre-cut papillotomy (TPPP). The initial ERCP success rate was 94.3%, and the eventual success rate was 98.3%. Salvage techniques were required in 380 of 1021 patients (37.2%), associated with long oral protrusion (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.80–3.15; p < 0.001). A total of 503 cases (49.3%) had long oral protrusions, 47.5% of which required the salvage techniques, much higher than 27.5% of not-long cases. Patients with long oral protrusions had a higher frequency of NKP. In conclusion, patients with long oral protrusions frequently required salvage techniques. Appropriate strategies and salvage techniques may help to overcome many difficult biliary cannulation cases.

Initial experience with a homemade “hybrid-tome” for needle-knife precut in patients with difficult biliary cannulation

Background and study aims Current clinical guidelines recommend needle-knife precut (NKP) as the primary and best method for performing a biliary cannulation (BC) when simple techniques fail and the criteria are met for difficult BC (DBC). However, many endoscopists avoid or defer early NKP in favor of alternative, simpler techniques that have not been shown to be either safer or more effective. Our goal is to test a device that provides the needle-knife papillotome (NKPT) with traction capability and which can facilitate the learning and execution of NKP. Patients and methods This was a descriptive bicentric observational study of a personal cohort of patients undergoing early NKP to analyse the efficacy and safety of the technique with a “hybrid-tome” (HT) built using the isolated core of a NKPT and a conventional canulotome. Results Over a 4-year period, we performed 43 NKPs with the HT, achieving BC in one or two steps in all cases. The 100 % technical success was matched by a 95 % clinical success rate. We recorded 11 adverse events (23 %): five hemorrhages, four pancreatitis, and two cholangitis. In addition to the objective data, we confirmed that HT facilitates alignment with the duodenal papilla and the execution of pre-cutting, especially if the papilla is intradiverticular or hidden by folds. Conclusions The HT tested seems to help trained endoscopists to perform NKP, especially in some anatomic situations, which can improve compliance with the guidelines recommended for early NKP in patients with DBC.

A pilot randomized trial to study the success rate of early precut fistulotomy and its effect on radiation dose in patients with difficult biliary cannulation

Background: Role of precut fistulotomy in reducing fluoroscopy time and the radiation dose in difficult selective biliary cannulation is unknown. Methods: We performed a randomized trial where patients with difficult biliary cannulation were randomized into 2 groups: early precut fistulotomy (precut five minutes after failed standard biliary cannulation) or late precut fistulotomy (precut fifteen minutes after failed standard biliary cannulation). We compared the success rates of selective biliary cannulation, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, complication rates, need for repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and need for other interventions Results: Of the 130 eligible patients screened, 40 patients were randomized. The technical success was comparable between early and late group. The fluoroscopy time and radiation dose were significantly less in the early group [4 minutes (3, 6) vs 15 minutes (8, 28), p=0.001] and [1.35 mGy (0.90, 1.63) vs 2.40 mGy (1.58, 3.25), p=0.010] respectively. In the late group, 60% required need for rescue precut fistulotomy. One patient from late group developed post ERC pancreatitis while 1 from early group developed perforation. Three needed other interventions due to failed second attempt. Conclusion: Early precut fistulotomy has comparable technical success and reduces the radiation dose as compared to late precut fistulotomy for difficult biliary cannulation.

Transpancreatic precut papillotomy versus double-guidewire technique in difficult biliary cannulation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims Approximately 11 % of biliary cannulations are considered difficult. The double guidewire (DGW-T) and transpancreatic sphincterotomy (TPS) are two useful techniques when difficult cannulation exists and the main pancreatic duct is unintentionally accessed. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and security of both DGW-T and TPS techniques in difficult biliary cannulation. Methods We conducted a systematic review in different databases, such as PubMed, OVID, Medline, and Cochrane Databases. Were included all RCT which showed a comparison between TPS and DGW in difficult biliary cannulation. Endpoints computed were successful cannulation rate, median cannulation time, and adverse events rate. Results Four studies were selected (4 RCTs). These studies included 260 patients. The mean age was 64.79 ± 12.99 years. Of the patients, 53.6 % were men and 46.4 % were women. The rate of successful cannulation was 93.3 % in the TPS group and 79.4 % in the DGW-T group (P = 0.420). The rate of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) was lower in patients who had undergone TPS than DGW-T (TPS: 8.9 % vs DGW-T: 22.2 %, P = 0.02). The mean cannulation time was 14.7 ± 9.4 min in the TPS group and 15.1 ± 7.4 min with DGW-T (P = 0.349). Conclusions TPS and DGW are two useful techniques in patients with difficult cannulation. They both have a high rate of successful cannulation; however, the PEP was higher with DGW-T than with TPS.