Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related perforation: Management and prevention

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure that can result in serious complications, and thus should be handled by a skilled endoscopist to minimize the risk of complications and to enhance the success rate. The incidence of ERCP-related complications is 5%-10%, most commonly involving post-ERCP pancreatitis and clinically significant post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding. Although ERCP-related perforation has a relatively lower incidence of 0.14%-1.6%, this complication is associated with a high mortality rate of 4.2%-29.6%. A classification of perforation type based on the instrument that caused the perforation was recently described that we postulated could affect the implementation of perforation management. In the present article, an algorithm for management and prevention of ERCP-related perforations is proposed that is based on the perforation type and delay of diagnosis. Available evidence demonstrates that a delayed diagnosis and/or treatment of perforation results in a poorer prognosis, and thus should be at the forefront of procedural consideration. Furthermore, this review provides steps and recommendations from the pre-procedural stage through the post-procedural evaluation with consideration of contributing factors in order to minimize ERCP-related complication risk and improve patient outcome. To avoid perforation, endoscopists must evaluate the risks related to the individual patient and the procedure and perform the procedure gently. Once a perforation occurs, immediate diagnosis and early management are key factors to minimize mortality.     

Prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis using pancreatic stents: A review of efficacy,diameter and length

Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an important procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary diseases, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is the most frequent adverse event that can sometimes be fatal. However, prophylactic pancreatic stent (PS) insertion has been performed to prevent PEP in high-risk patients. In some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, the efficacy of prophylactic PS insertion has been shown to prevent PEP. In addition, several types of stents have been used to decrease PEP. In this review, we introduce the details of these RCTs and meta-analyses and reveal the specifications for stent placement, for example, the stent diameter and length and the pancreatic region into which the stent should be inserted.     

Radiation exposure in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic papillotomy

Radiation exposure was studied in 327 patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or endoscopic papillotomy taking into account fluoroscopy time and incident area exposure. The mean fluoroscopy time was 238±152 seconds and the incident area exposure 3,730±2,790 R×cm².These results were compared with standard exposures in upper GI series and colon examinations as found in the literature.     

Computed tomography,ultrasonography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease: A comparative study

A prospective study was performed comparing the sensitivity of computed tomography, ultrasonography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. Forty patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma, acute recurrent or chronic pancreatitis, and/ or jaundice were studied. CT was the most sensitive study in evaluation of pancreatitis. ERCP was most accurate in evaluation of pancreatic malignancy. Ultrasonography was the least sensitive method in detecting pancreatic disease and dilatation of the extrahepatic biliary ducts.     

ERCP update: Diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is currently utilized to evaluate jaundice, both intra- and extrahepatic, and can differentiate between these by demonstrating specific anatomic lesions. ERCP is definitive in the evaluation of gallbladder disease when other modalities are indefinite. For the first time outside the operating room, the pancreatic duct can be opacified by ERCP. The newest application of ERCP, endoscopic papillotomy (EP), has revolutionized the treatment of common bile duct gallstones and stenosis of the duct, offering a safe and effective alternative to repeated surgery, especially in those patients at risk. Because of these diverse and effective applications, ERCP has become firmly established in our diagnostic armamentarium.     

Diagnosis of malignant biliary obstruction: pondering over the ERCP, MRCP and histology

ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), magnetic resonance pancreatography (MRCP) and histological examination for malignant biliary obstruction.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients admitted for biliary obstruction caused by biliary tree malignancy that underwent ERCP, MRCP and histological examination. Data were collected from the medical records. The primary endpoints were the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve value, sensitivity, specificity and overall diagnostic accuracy of the three procedures in terms of a final diagnosis of obstructive biliary malignancy; and the agreement between ERCP, MRCP and histological examination with the final diagnosis.ResultsA total of 160 patients were included in the study (85 males, 53.1%; mean ± SD age, 69.31 ± 10.96 years). Considering the final diagnosis, the performance of MRCP, ERCP and histology in assessing biliary tumours produced AUROC values of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75, 0.90), 0.94 (95% CI 0.85, 0.99) and 0.80 (95% CI 0.70, 0.82), respectively. ERCP presented higher sensitivity, overall diagnostic accuracy and agreement with the final diagnosis than MRCP and histological examination.ConclusionThese current data suggest that invasive methods such as ERCP with biopsy remain more reliable than non-invasive methods.     

ERCP在胆管结石诊断和治疗中的应用

目的评价内镜下逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)对胆管系统结石诊断和治疗的价值。方法对106例ERCP资料作回顾性分析,并将超声(US)、计算机断层扫描(CT)与ERCP的资料进行比较。结果胆囊结石的诊断US优于CT和EPCP,胆总管结石的诊断ERCP优于CT、US。本组病例中ERCP检查的胆管结石患者在明确诊断的同时通过内镜下乳头切开取石和/或鼻胆管引流解除梗阻。其中结石最小直径0.1cm,最大直径5cm,单发19例,多发37例。胆系结石主要位于胆总管和胆囊内,ERCP主要表现为胆总管内的充盈缺损,胆管扩张,下端梗阻时,可出现杯口状的充盈缺损,其上方胆管口径扩张。结论ERCP作为一种微创的诊断兼治疗的手段,对胆管结石有重要的临床应用价值。     

Combined endoscopy/laparoscopy/percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage,hybrid techniques in gastrointestinal and biliary diseases

In recent years, a wide range of gastrointestinal endoscopy techniques have been developed, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Although ESD and ERCP have an important role in gastrointestinal and biliary diseases, each technique has its limitations. Hybrid techniques that combine endoscopic and surgical procedures have emerged that have the advantages of different procedures and negate their limitations at the same time. Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery and modified laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery combine ESD and laparoscopic techniques to resect submucosal tumors with minimum resection area. Air leak test by intraoperative endoscopy can effectively identify a mechanically insufficient anastomosis and decrease the complication rate. The rendezvous technique that combines percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and endoscopy can be performed as a rescue approach for the treatment of biliary obstruction, stenosis and bile duct injuries. For patients with simultaneous presence of stones in the gallbladder and the common bile duct, the laparo-endoscopic rendezvous technique can perform ERCP and laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the same time and reduces the risk of pancreatic injury caused by ERCP. Biliobiliary and bilioenteric anastomosis using magnetic compression anastomosis is another choice for biliary obstruction. The most common used approach to deliver the magnets is by percutaneous-peroral tract. Laparoscopic-assisted ERCP is a safe and highly effective therapy for patients who develop biliary diseases after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.     

Rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,glyceryl trinitrate,or combinations for prophylaxis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUNDAcute pancreatitis is the most common and severe complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Recent evidence suggests that combinations based on rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are more beneficial in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have also demonstrated the efficacy of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN). We conducted a network meta-analysis to compare NSAIDs and GTN for prevention of PEP and to determine whether they are better in combination.AIMTo compare NSAIDs and GTN for prevention of PEP and to determine whether they are better in combination.METHODSA systematic search was done for full-text RCTs of PEP in PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials database. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen for eligible RCTs. The major data were extracted by two independent reviewers. The frequentist model was used to conduct this network meta-analysis and obtain the pairwise OR and 95%CI. The data were then extracted and assessed on the basis of the Reference Citation Analysis (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com/).RESULTSTwenty-four eligible RCTs were selected, evaluating seven preventive strategies in 9416 patients. Rectal indomethacin 100 mg plus sublingual GTN (OR: 0.21, 95%CI: 0.09–0.50), rectal diclofenac 100 mg (0.34, 0.18–0.65), sublingual GTN (0.34, 0.12–0.97), and rectal indomethacin 100 mg (0.49, 0.33–0.73) were all more efficacious than placebo in preventing PEP. The combination of rectal indomethacin and sublingual GTN had the highest surface under the cumulative ranking curves (SUCRA) probability of (92.2%) and was the best preventive strategy for moderate-to-severe PEP with a SUCRA probability of (89.2%). CONCLUSIONCombination of rectal indomethacin 100 mg with sublingual GTN offered better prevention of PEP than when used alone and could alleviate the severity of PEP.