Endoscopic balloon dilatation for benign hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture using short double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with a prior Whipple’s procedure: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography using a short double-balloon endoscope (DB-ERC) is a promising minimally-invasive method for accessing hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) anastomosis in patients with surgically altered anatomy. We aimed to evaluate the immediate and long-term outcomes of balloon dilatation for benign HJ anastomotic stricture (HJAS) in patients who had previously undergone Whipple's procedure using a DB-ERC. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 46 patients who underwent balloon dilatation alone with a DB-ERC for benign HJAS between November 2008 and November 2014. The median follow-up duration was 3.5 (interquartile range [IQR], 1.9-5.1) years. RESULTS The technical and clinical success rates were 100%, and adverse events occurred in 7% (3/46, cholangitis). The median hospitalization period was seven (IQR, 5-10) days. Of 42 patients (91%) followed-up for > 1 year, 24 (51%) had recurrent HJAS at a median of 1.2 (IQR, 0.6-2.9) years after balloon dilatation. The cumulative anastomotic patency rates at 1, 2, and 3 years were 73, 55, and 49%, respectively. In univariate analysis, early stricture formation (< 1 year) was a risk factor for recurrent stenosis, although no statistically significant risk factors were observed in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic balloon dilatation with DB-ERC for benign HJAS is effective and safe, having good immediate technical success and few adverse events. Further improvements to this procedure are needed to prevent recurrent HJAS.