Aspects on advanced procedures during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for complex hepatobiliary disorders
Date
2021-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
Background: The rapid development in endoscopic technology and associated skills has led to an increase in
more advanced procedures being performed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
Knowledge is limited regarding clinical value, integration, and outcomes for single operator
cholangiopancreatoscopy (SOCP) and endoscopic intervention in the different Bismuth-Corlette (B-C) locations
in the hepatic hilum.
Objectives: To determine the clinical value of SOCP in the diagnosis and treatment of complex hepatobiliary
and pancreatic disease. To describe the nationwide integration of SOCP and the extent to which adverse events
are influenced when SOCP is added to ERCP. To compare adverse events and reintervention rates after
endoscopic stenting for malignant obstruction in the distal and hilar locations of the biliary tree. To compare
outcomes after endoscopic transpapillary (ETP) and percutaneous transhepatic (PTH) stenting in the palliation of
malignant hilar obstruction (MHO).
Methods: In study I all SOCP procedures performed between March 2007-December 2014 at a tertiary highvolume
endoscopy unit were separately graded according to a predefined 4-graded scale estimating therapeutic
value and diagnostic yield. Study II was a nationwide case-control study nested within the cohort of ERCP
procedures, with- or without SOCP, and registered in the Swedish Registry for Gallstone Surgery and ERCP
(GallRiks) between 2007-2012. To assess risk factors for adverse events, multivariate logistic regression was
performed, and odds ratios (OR) calculated. The GallRiks registry was also utilised in study III where all patients
undergoing endoscopic stenting for malignant biliary obstruction between 2010-2017 (based on International
Classification of Diseases (ICD) coding), were included. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to calculate stent
patency and Cox proportional hazard models to calculate the risk for recurrent biliary obstruction after single
metal stent placement. To compare ETP and PTH drainage approaches, a retrospective deconstructed analysis of
palliative stenting procedures for MHO at two specialised referral centres over a 5-year period was performed.
Within-group analyses were performed to explore outcomes for different B-C types and Kaplan-Meier and
restricted mean survival time analyses were performed to calculate and compare duration of therapeutic success.
Results: In 365 SOCP procedures, SOCP was found be of pivotal importance in 19% of patients, of great
clinical significance in 44%, and did not affect clinical decision-making or alter clinical course in 37% of
patients. In study II a learning curve was observed after first introduction of 408 SOCP procedures, and
postprocedural adverse events (19.1% vs. 14.0%), pancreatitis (7.4% vs. 3.9%) and cholangitis (4.4% vs. 2.7%)
were more prevalent when SOCP was added to ERCP. After multivariate analysis, the risk for postprocedural
adverse events remained (OR 1.35, 95% CI [1.04 - 1.74]). In 4623 ERCP procedures performed for stenting of
malignant strictures (1364 hilar), adverse events and 6-month reintervention rates were increased after hilar
stenting compared to distal stenting (17.2% vs. 12.0%, 73.4% vs. 55.9%). On multivariate analysis the risk for
reintervention was three times higher after single metal stent placement in the hilum compared to the distal
biliary tree (HR 3.47, 95% CI [2.01-6.00], p<0.001). In 293 patients undergoing palliative stenting for MHO
(52.2% ETP, 47.8% PTH), access and bridging success in the ETP and PTH groups were 83.5% vs. 97.2% and
90.2% vs. 84.5%, respectively. Technical and therapeutic success were equivalent between the two groups, but
duration of therapeutic success was longer after ETP drainage, with a 3-month gain in duration of therapeutic
success after adjustment for B-C type (95% CI [26-160], p=0.006). Cholangitis rates were equivalent (21.4% vs.
24.7%), while pancreatitis was more common in the ETP group and deaths more common in the PTH group.
Conclusions: When added to ERCP, SOCP contributes significant clinical value in 64% of cases. However,
there is an increased risk of intra- and postprocedural adverse events which, together with a learning curve,
suggests that it should likely be performed in specialised high-volume centres. Regarding endoscopic
intervention for MHO, stenting in the hepatic hilum compared to the distal biliary tree is associated with more
adverse events and decreased stent patency. When comparing palliative ETP with PTH stenting for MHO, both
approaches have similar technical and therapeutic success, with ETP drainage being more durable. Future studies
should explore the complimentary role of both approaches in specific B-C types.
Description
Keywords
Endoscopic surgery, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, Biliary tract -- Diseases, Hepatobiliary disorders