Specifics of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographyin patients with altered anatomy of gastrointestinal tract (a literature review)

The aim of the work: analysis and integration of literature data regarding the technical and methodological implementation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in altered anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract after gastric resection. Results. World literature data convincingly indicate the need for a staged approach to performing endoscopic retrograde cho langiopancreatography in patients with altered anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract. Scientific works state that the main stages are detailed examination of a past surgical history in patients, careful selection of suitable endoscopic instruments, afferent limb intubation, papilla of Vater cannulation and papillary interventions. The article describes the existing endoscopic instruments, modern techniques and approaches, their advantages and disadvantages, and the influence of various factors on the success of their use in comparison with traditional techniques for various types of surgical reconstruction for each of the above stages. The length of the afferent limb is one of the main factors that affect the success rates of the procedure. Conclusions. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with altered anatomy is complex and faces a number of challenges. Thanks to the development of special instruments and techniques, it can be performed even in patients with a long Roux-en-Y limb, reaching therapeutic success rates close to those in patients with normal anatomy, but this requires extensive experience of an endoscopist. There are currently no clear recommendations for the use of a particular technique; therefore the choice of the optimal strategy depends on the type of surgical reconstruction, surgeon skill level and endoscopy center facilities.

Recanalization in Uncut Roux-en-Y Reconstruction: An Animal Experiment and a Clinical Study

Background: Because of the challenge of jejunal closure recanalization, uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of recanalization after uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction in pigs and a small number of patients.Methods: Twenty miniature pigs were subjected to distal gastrectomy and uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction using various rows of linear staplers to block the intestine. The pigs were sacrificed, and the incidence of recanalization was investigated 1 month after the operation. From December 2018 to June 2019, 10 patients with gastric cancer who had undergone elective laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy and uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction were included in this study. The primary study outcome was recanalization of the afferent limb, demonstrated by gastrointestinal radiography 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Various numbers of staple lines across the afferent jejunal limb were applied for closure: 2 staple lines in 2 pigs, 4 staple lines in 6 pigs, 6 staple lines in 8 pigs, and 8 staple lines in 4 pigs.Results: Complete recanalization was detected in all 20 pigs 1 month postoperatively. Recanalization was detected in five cases (50%) by gastrointestinal radiography. Among them, 1 case of recanalization was found in the 1st month after the operation, 2 cases were found in the 3rd month, and another 2 cases were found in the 6th month. Bile reflux was detected by endoscopy in 2 patients with recanalization.Conclusions: The occurrence of afferent limb recanalization after uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction is high, and using additional staplers alone cannot decrease the incidence of recanalization. Based on our study, uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction is not recommended.

Outcomes and Loop Pattern Analysis of a Road-Map Technique for ERCP with Side-Viewing Duodenoscope in Patients with Billroth II Gastrectomy (with Video)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients who have undergone a Billroth II gastrectomy is a major challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the road-map technique for duodenal intubation using a side-viewing duodenoscope for ERCP in Billroth II gastrectomy patients with naïve papilla, and to analyze the formation and release patterns of common bowel loops that occur when the duodenoscope navigates the afferent limb. The duodenoscopy approach success rate was 85.8% (97/113). In successful duodenoscopy approach patients, there were five bowel looping patterns that occurred when the preceding catheter-connected duodenoscope was advanced into the duodenum: (1) reverse ɣ-loop (29.9%), (2) fixed reverse ɣ-loop (5.2%), (3) simple U-loop (22.7%), (4) N-loop (28.9%), and (5) reverse alpha loop (13.4%). The duodenoscopy cannulation and duodenoscopy therapeutic success rates were 81.4% (92/113) and 80.5% (91/113), respectively, while the overall cannulation and therapeutic success rates were 92.0% (104/113) and 87.6% (99/113), respectively. Bowel perforation occurred in three patients (2.7%). The road-map technique may benefit duodenoscope-based ERCP in Billroth II gastrectomy patients by minimizing the tangential axis alignment between the duodenoscopic tip and driving of the afferent limb, and by predicting and counteracting bowel loops that occur when the duodenoscope navigates the afferent limb.