Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy using partially-covered self-expandable metal stent in patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction and unsuccessful ERCP

Background and study aims  Endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) is an alternative to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction in whom ERCP has failed. We studied technical success, clinical success, stent patency rate and occurrence of adverse events in patients undergoing EUS-CDS with partially-covered self-expanding metal stent (PCSEMS). Patients and methods  Medical records of consecutive patients with unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction requiring biliary drainage who underwent EUS-CDS because of failure of attempt at ERCP were reviewed. EUS-CDS was done using 6-cm, PCSEMS (Wallflex, Boston Scientific). Technical success, clinical success (more than 50 % reduction in total bilirubin at 2 weeks post-procedure), stent patency rate and adverse events (AEs) were assessed. Patients were followed up for 3 months post-procedure. Results Between January 2015 and December 2016, 30 patients underwent EUS-CDS, including 20 (67 %) with failed biliary cannulation and 10 (33 %) with duodenal stenosis. Technical success was achieved in 28 patients, all of whom also had clinical success. Median total serum bilirubin decreased from 20 mg/dL to 5 mg/dL at 2 weeks post-procedure. Three patients (10 %) had adverse events (bile leak, hemobilia, stent block in one patient each; no stent migration); none of these adverse events was major and all were managed successfully. There were no procedure-related deaths. Five patients died of disease progression in the 3-month period post-procedure, and the 3-month dysfunction-free stent patency rate was 83 %. Conclusion EUS-CDS with a PCSEMS has a high technical and clinical success. Adverse events were infrequent, minor and could be managed easily.