Abstract
Background and aim: Endoscopic access to the common bile duct (CBD) remains difficult in 10% of cases, requiring alternative techniques .CBD access was difficult after either five unsuccessful attempts, five unintentional insertions into the pancreatic duct or >10-min-long unsuccessful attempts. This retrospective study with historical controls aimed to evaluate the benefit of the double guidewire (DGW) technique after failure of standard CBD cannulation.
Methods: From January 2012 to December 2014, all patients requiring therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with difficult access to CBD were included in a Studied group. This group was compared to a historical ERCP control group from January 2009 to December 2011. In the Studied group, a sequential strategy including DGW technique was done when the guidewire was unintentionally passed into the pancreatic duct. In the control group, only pre-cut technique was used.
Results: Among the 538 patients with naive papilla eligible for ERCP, 73 had difficult CBD access. Successful CBD access rate was higher in the Studied group: 91% (50/55) versus 67% (12/18) P = 0.0215. Complication rates were similar in both groups: 28% versus 20%, P = 0.5207. LOS was shorter in the Studied group (9.2 ± 8.5 vs 14.4 ± 7.4 days, P = 0.0028). Post-ERCP cholangitis were lower in the Studied group: 2% (1/55) versus 22% (4/18), P = 0.0118.
Conclusion: After standard cannulation failure, DGW technique increased successful CBD access rate and decreased LOS without increasing complications.
Keywords: catheterization; common bile duct; double guidewire technique; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; pancreatic duct.
© 2016 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.