Feasibility of EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy for inoperable malignant hilar biliary strictures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has emerged as a complementary technique for primary drainage or as a rescue technique after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of EUS-BD for malignant hilar stenosis (MHS), both as an initial and rescue procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective work based on a prospective registry of patients with malignant drainage stenosis of the hilum. For this analysis, only patients who underwent EUS-BD drainage were included. The drainage procedure could be performed by EUS-BD alone or in combination with another technique, for initial drainage or reintervention. RESULTS: Between January 2015 and September 2018, 20 patients were included. The mean patient age was 68 years. Seven patients had primary liver tumors and 13 had obstructions caused by metastasis. Four patients had Type II stenosis, 7 had Type IIIA, 2 had Type IIIb, and 7 had Type IV stenosis. Sixteen patients underwent EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) for initial drainage and four as reintervention. For initial drainage, 2 patients underwent EUS-HGS alone and 14 underwent EUS-HGS in combination with another technique: 11 combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), 2 with percutaneous transhepatic drainage, and 1 with ERCP and percutaneous transhepatic drainage. The technical success rate for EUS-HGS in the drainage of MHS was 100%, and the clinical success rate was 95%. The mean percentage of liver drained was 84%, with an average 1.7 endoscopic sessions and an average 2.7 protheses. The early complication rate was 35% and the mortality rate was 5%. Five EUS-HGS/ERCP combination drainage procedures were performed in one session and six were performed in two sessions with similar complication rates and percentages of liver segments drained. CONCLUSION: EUS-BD is a feasible and safe technique for initial drainage and for reintervention procedures. The EUS-HGS/ERCP combination seemed to be useful in cases of complex stenosis and could be performed during the same session or in two sessions.

Endoscopic management of concomitant biliary and duodenal malignant obstruction: Impact of the timing of drainage for one vs. two procedures and the modalities of biliary drainage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Concomitant biliary and duodenal malignant obstruction are a severe condition mainly managed by duodenal and biliary stenting, which can be performed simultaneously (SAMETIME) or in two distinct procedures (TWO-TIMES). We conducted a single-center retrospective study to evaluate the feasibility of a SAMETIME procedure and the impact of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-hepaticogastrostomy in double malignant obstructions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1, 2011, to January 1, 2018, patients with concomitant malignant bilioduodenal obstruction treated endoscopically were included. The primary endpoint was hospitalization duration. The secondary endpoints were bilioduodenal reintervention rates, adverse event rates, and overall survival. Patients were divided into groups for statistical analysis: (i) divided according to the timing of biliary drainage: SAMETIME vs. TWO-TIMES group, (ii) divided based on the biliary drainage method: EUS-HG group underwent hepaticogastrostomy, while DUODENAL ACCESS group underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic drainage (PCTD) or EUS-guided choledocoduodenostomy (EUS-CD). RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were included (19 women, median age = 71 years). Stenosis was mainly related to pancreatic cancer (17 patients, 54.8%). Sixteen patients were in the SAMETIME group, and 15 were in the TWO-TIMES group. Biliary drainage was performed by EUS-HG in 11 (35.%) patients, PCTD in 11 (35.%), ERCP in 8 (25.8%) and choledoduodenostomy in 1. Thirty patients died during follow-up. The median survival was 77 days (9% confidence interval [37-140]). The mean hospitalization duration was lower in the SAMETIME group: 7.5 vs. 12.6 days, P = 0.04. SAMETIME group patients tended to have a lower complication than TWO-TIMES (26.7% vs. 56.3%, P = 0.10). The EUS-HG group tended to have a lower complication rate (5% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.07) and less biliary endoscopic revision (30% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.37) than DUODENAL ACCESS. CONCLUSIONS: SAMETIME drainage is associated with a lower hospital stay without increased morbidity. EUS-HG could provide better access because it did not exhibit a higher complication rate and showed a tendency toward better patency and fewer complications.

Endoscopic training: A nationwide survey of French fellows in gastroenterology.

BACKGROUND: During their 4 years of training, French fellows in gastroenterology should acquire theoretical and practical competency in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. AIMS: To evaluate the delivery of endoscopy training to French GI fellows and perception of learning. METHODS: A nationwide electronic survey was carried out of French GI fellows using an anonymous, 17-item electronic questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 291 out of 484 (60%) GI fellows responded to the survey. Only 40% of subjects had access to theoretical training and/or virtual simulators. Only 49% and 35% of fourth year fellows had reached the threshold numbers of EGD and colonoscopies recommended by the European section and Board of gastroenterology and hepatology. Sixty-two percent and 57% of trainees reported having insufficient knowledge in interpreting gastric and colic lesions. Access to dedicated endoscopy activity for at least 8 weeks during the year was the only independent factor associated with the achievement of the recommended annual threshold number of procedures. CONCLUSION: The access of fellows to theoretical training and to preclinical virtual simulators is still insufficient. Personalized support and regular assessment of cognitive and technical acquisition over the 4 years of training seems to be necessary.