Direct peroral cholangioscopy using an ultrathin endoscope: making technique easier.

BACKGROUND Cholangioscopy is a useful tool for the study and treatment of biliary pathology. Ultrathin upper endoscopes allow direct peroral cholangioscopy (DPC) but have some drawbacks. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the success rate of DPC with an ultrathin endoscope using a balloon catheter to reach the biliary confluence. MATERIAL AND METHODS Prospective observational study. An ultrathin endoscope (Olympus XP180N, outer diameter 5.5 mm, working channel 2 mm) was used. To access the biliary tree, free-hand technique was used. To reach the biliary confluence an intraductal balloon catheter (Olympus B5-2Q diameter 1.9 mm) and a 0.025 inch guide wire was used. In all cases sphincterotomy and/or sphincteroplasty was performed. The success rate was defined as the percentage of cases in which the biliary confluence could be reached with the ultrathin endoscope. RESULTS Fifteen patients (8 men/7 women) were included. Mean age was 77.7 + or - 10.8 years (range 45-91). The indications for cholangioscopy were suspected bile duct stones (n = 9), electrohydraulic lithotripsy for the treatment of difficult choledocholithiasis (n = 5) and evaluation of biliary stricture (n = 1). Access to the bile duct was achieved in 14/15 cases (93.3%). Biliary confluence was reached in 13/15 cases (86.7%). One complication was observed in one patient (oxigen desaturation). CONCLUSIONS DPC with an ultrathin endoscope can be done with the free-hand technique. Intraductal balloon-guided DPC allows full examination of the common bile duct in most cases.