Introduction to the Rule Book of Pancreatobiliary Endoscopy Certification

An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure requires the highest level of difficulty among endoscopic procedures and the complications related to the procedure is relatively high, and fatal. Training in ERCP requires the development of technical, cognitive, and integrative skills well beyond those needed for standard endoscopic procedures. Therefore, a system that certifies qualifications through objective and systematic training and examination is needed to improve patient safety and quality of medical services. This manuscript introduces a set of rules that contain all the necessary matters for the certification system of pancreatic and biliary endoscopy.

Pancreatobiliary Endoscopy Certification System from the Perspective of Insurance Policy

Pancreatic and biliary endoscopy certified doctors perform high-level procedures and try to improve public health by maintaining professionalism. In this manuscript, I review how the certification system is reflected in the Korean National Health Insurance. In addition, we considered the impact of certified pancreatic and biliary endoscopy doctors on the public. Through this, the pancreatobiliary endoscopy certification system is to be properly established and to contribute to the improvement of public health.

Percutaneous Biliary Endoscopy

Biliary endoscopy is underutilized by interventional radiologists and has the potential to become an effective adjunctive tool to help both diagnose and treat a variety of biliary pathology. This is particularly true in cases where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography fails or is not feasible due to surgically altered anatomy. Both preoperative clinical and technical procedural factors must be taken into consideration prior to intervention. In this article, clinical evaluation, perioperative management, and procedural techniques for percutaneous biliary endoscopy are reviewed.

New Devices for Endoscopic Treatments in Gastroenterology: A Narrative Review

: Endoscopy is in a period of continuous innovations in terms of image quality, endoscopes, post-processing software and lastly, application of Artificial Intelligence. Therapeutic boundaries have expanded, widening the grey zone between endoscopy and surgery, and increasing endoscopic approaches in clinical scenarios where, until a few years ago, surgery was the only option. New scopes and accessories have made it easier to access critical areas such as the biliary tree and the small bowel intestine. In the field of hepato-pancreato-biliary endoscopy (HPB), it is now possible to directly access the biliary ducts or cystic lesions though dedicated stents and scopes, rather than having to rely only on fluoroscopy and ultrasound, increasing the diagnostic and therapeutic options by applying a three-dimensional approach. This narrative review will give an overview of some of the most relevant emerging fields in luminal and HPB endoscopy, highlighting advantages and main limitations of the techniques, and providing considerations for future development.

Percutaneous Hepatobiliary Endoscopy in the Interventional Radiology Suite

Percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopy and cholecystoscopy have a growing place in the interventional radiology suite. Patients with indwelling tubes who may have once been left with limited options for stone extraction, targeted biopsy, and/or chronic biliary stricture can now have comprehensive care of their disease process by an interventional radiologist. There are a variety of low-profile and large-profile devices available in the hospital that can be repurposed for use in the biliary system and gallbladder. In many situations, these tools can be used to render patients with limited transoral endoscopic options and chronic indwelling tubes, tube free. This article provides an introduction to biliary endoscopy and cholecystoscopy and their role for the interventional radiologist.

Endoscopic Perspective in Cholangiocarcinoma Diagnostic Process

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy arising from the epithelial lining of the intrahepatic or extrahepatic biliary tract. Timely diagnosis is challenging due to its silent clinical course. As reliable laboratory markers are lacking, diagnostic imaging plays a pivotal role. While cross-sectional imaging studies are usually conclusive for intrahepatic lesions, endoscopy plays an essential role in cases of extrahepatic tumors. Rational utilization of different diagnostic methods based on available evidence is needed. This article focuses on the diagnostic role of advanced biliary endoscopy, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, cholangioscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography, and intraductal sonography.