The efficacy and safety of endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) has been used to describe patients with RUQ abdominal pain without an etiology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ES (endoscopic sphincterotomy) for SOD. METHODS: The study methodology follows the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for RCTs with ES in patients with SOD. The primary outcome assessed was the improvement of abdominal pain after ES/sham. A random effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates for each outcome of interest. RESULTS: Of the initial 55 studies, 23 were screened and thoroughly reviewed. The final analysis included 3 studies. 340 patients (89.7% women) with SOD were included. All patients had a cholecystectomy. Most included patients had SOD type II and III. The pooled rate of technical success of ERCP was 100%. The average clinical success rate was 50%. The pooled cumulative rate of overall AEs related to all ERCP procedures was 14.6%. In the sensitivity analysis, only one study significantly affected the outcome or the heterogeneity. CONCLUSION: ES appears no better than placebo in patients with SOD type III. Sphincterotomy could be considered in patients with SOD type II and elevated SO basal pressure.

Transduodenal Sphincteroplasty: A Visual Case Study.

BACKGROUND: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a challenging and rare clinical entity resulting in pancreatobiliary pain and stasis of bile and pancreatic juice. This problem was classically treated with surgical therapy, but as classification of the disease has changed and newer methods of endoscopic evaluation and therapy have evolved, operative transduodenal sphincteroplasty is now generally reserved as a final therapeutic option for these patients. In this video and manuscript, we describe our approach to operative transduodenal sphincteroplasty in a patient with type I Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. METHODS: A 50-year-old female with history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass presented with episodic right-upper-quadrant and epigastric abdominal pain with associated documented elevations in liver chemistries. Preoperative cross-sectional imaging demonstrated dilation of her common bile duct. After multidisciplinary discussion, the decision was made to pursue operative transduodenal sphincteroplasty. RESULTS: All key operative steps of the transduodenal sphincteroplasty are demonstrated in the embedded video. Key operative steps include laparotomy, generous Kocher maneuver, and duodenotomy over the ampulla, allowing access for sequential biliary and pancreatic sphincterotomies and sphincteroplasties with absorbable suture. The duodenotomy and abdominal fascia are then closed. Our patient underwent sequential diet advancement and was discharged to home on postoperative day five. At clinic follow-up, pancreatobiliary-type pain had resolved. CONCLUSION: The embedded video demonstrates a case of operative transduodenal sphincteroplasty, which can provide durable results in appropriate patient populations.

[Pay attention to endoscopic diagnosis and treatment for confluence disease of pancreaticobiliary ducts].

The confluence of pancreaticobiliary ducts refers to the area between the end of common bile duct, the opening of main pancreatic duct and duodenal papilla. Those confluence diseases of pancreaticobiliary ducts will cause obstruction of biliary and pancreatic outflow tract, cholestasis, pancreatic juice deposition or pancreaticobiliary reflux, and thus induce gallstones, cholangitis, pancreatitis and other diseases. Endoscopic ampullary sphincterotomy is an important way to treat biliary and pancreatic diseases, but the length of incision is determined by the anatomy of Oddi sphincter. The endoscopic approach aims to relieve biliary and pancreatic outflow tract obstruction and pancreatic biliary reflux, and avoid enterobiliary reflux.

Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Sphincter of Oddi Disorders.

The concept that sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) can cause attacks of biliary-type pain in postcholecystectomy patients and those with unexplained recurrent acute pancreatitis, and that endoscopic sphincterotomy can ameliorate symptoms, remains unproven. The Evaluating Predictors and Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (EPISOD) study of patients without objective evidence for biliary obstruction showed no difference in outcomes between those who underwent sphincterotomy or sham treatment.1 To date, there have been no studies examining the characteristics of patients who still are being offered endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for SOD since the EPISOD publication, although the absolute number appears to have declined.2.

The Next EPISOD: Trends in Utilization of Endoscopic Sphincterotomy for Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction from 2010-2019.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: For years, the endoscopic management of the disorder formerly known as Type III Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) had been controversial. In 2013, the results of the Evaluating Predictors and Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (EPISOD) trial demonstrated that there was no benefit associated with endoscopic sphincterotomy for patients with Type III SOD. We aimed to assess the utilization of endoscopic sphincterotomy for patients with SOD in a large population database from 2010-2019. METHODS: We searched a large electronic health record (EHR)-based dataset incorporating over 300 individual hospitals in the United States (Explorys, IBM Watson health, Armonk, NY). Using Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT) we identified patients with a first-ever diagnosis of "disorder of Sphincter of Oddi" annually from 2010-2019. Subclassification of SOD types was not feasible using SNOMED-CT codes. Stratified by year, we identified the proportion of patients with newly-diagnosed SOD undergoing endoscopic sphincterotomy and those receiving newly-prescribed medical therapy. RESULTS: A total of 39,950,800 individual patients were active in the database with 7,750 index diagnoses of SOD during the study period. The incidence rates of SOD increased from 2.4 to 12.8 per 100,000 persons from 2010-2019 (P < .001). In parallel, there were reductions in the rates of biliary (34.3% to 24.5%) and pancreatic sphincterotomy (25% to 16.4%), respectively (P < .001). Sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) was infrequently utilized, <20 times in any given year, throughout the study duration. There were no significant increases in new prescriptions for TCAs, nifedipine, or vasodilatory nitrates. CONCLUSIONS: Among a wide range of practice settings which do not utilize routine SOM, a sudden and sustained decrease in rates of endoscopic sphincterotomy for newly-diagnosed SOD was observed beginning in 2013. These findings highlight the critical importance of high-quality, multi-center, randomized controlled trials in endoscopy to drive evidence-based changes in real-world clinical practice.

Stent placement above the sphincter of Oddi is a useful option for patients with inoperable malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) is essential for the management of malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). We prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of "inside-stent" therapy, where a plastic stent is placed above the sphincter of Oddi without endoscopic sphincterotomy, in patients with inoperable MHBO. METHODS: This study was a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial at three centers. Patients with inoperable MHBO were enrolled in this study, and randomly assigned to receive an inside-stent or conventional-stent therapy. The primary endpoint was cumulative stent patency of the initial stent. The secondary endpoints were second stent patency, technical and clinical success rate, adverse events, re-intervention rate, and overall patient survival. RESULTS: Forty-three patients were randomly assigned to the inside-stent group (n = 21) or the conventional-stent group (n = 22). The median cumulative stent patency of the initial stent was 123 days in the inside-stent group and 51 days in the conventional-stent group (P = .031). For patients with the initial stent dysfunction in the conventional-stent group, the inside-stent was placed as a second stent, and its patency was significantly longer than that of the initial stent (P = .0001). The technical and clinical success rate, re-intervention rate, second stent patency, adverse events, and survival probability did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Inside-stent therapy appears to be useful not only as an initial stent but also as a second stent for patients with inoperable MHBO. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000004587.

Endoscopic endoclip papilloplasty preserves sphincter of oddi function.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can destroy sphincter of Oddi (SO) structure and function. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of endoscopic endoclip papilloplasty (EEPP) in restoring SO function after EST. METHODS: Seven 26-week-old domestic pigs were divided into control and EEPP groups. Necropsy and haematoxylin-eosin staining plus anti-α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining of papilla and sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) were conducted in animals at three independent time points. RESULTS: EST and EEPP were safely performed in all 7 pigs without serious adverse events. For primary outcome, compared to the controls, EEPP generated smaller dilation and less inflammation. Fibrous repair of the papilla was observed at 24 weeks after EEPP. For secondary outcome, in the control group, SO basal pressure (17.25 ± 18.14 to 5.50 ± 0.71 mmHg), SO contraction amplitude (46.00 ± 19.20 to 34.50 ± 48.79 mmHg), peak (4.50 ± 4.04 to 1.50 ± 2.12) and frequency (3.05 ± 3.29 to 1.41 ± 2.19/min) were reduced after EST. Further reductions to almost 0 of these SOM parameters were observed 3 weeks later, including common bile duct pressure and SO contraction period. In contrast, in the EEPP group, these manometric data were recovered to pre-EST levels, including CBD pressure (11.5 ± 7.31 vs 11 ± 2.16 mmHg), SO pressure (17.50 ± 17.75 vs 18.20 ± 21.39 mmHg) and SO contraction amplitude (53.67 ± 21.54 vs 60.00 ± 36.08 mmHg). However, no significant differences were observed between control and EEPP groups by Student t test. CONCLUSIONS: In this porcine study, EEPP accelerated and improved papillary healing after EST, further preserved SO function.

Endoclip papillaplasty restores sphincter of Oddi function: Pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) damaged the sphincter of Oddi (SO) function. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of endoclip papillaplasty in restoring SO function. METHODS: This prospective pilot study included consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis (stone size ≥10 mm) who underwent large-EST for stone removal, followed by endoclip papillaplasty, between May 2018 and March 2019. RESULTS: Thirty patients were enrolled in this trail. Overall, 80% of the patients had a SO basal pressure of >10 mmHg after endoclip papillaplasty. Manometric parameters, including SO basal pressure, phasic wave contraction amplitude, phasic waves per minute, recovered after endoclip papillaplasty (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the manometric parameters of SO between healing grades A and B. Six patients developed mild post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis, including three that had pancreatic stenting. Bile duct stone recurrence developed in 3.3% of the patients (1/30) during an 18-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoclip papillaplasty might restore SO function and possibly prevented biliary stone and cholangitis recurrence.

Sphincterotomy for biliary sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

The review is withdrawn as it has not been maintained since its first publication in 2001 (searches date back to the year 2000). Since then, new trials have been published that may or may not change the conclusions of the review. A new team of authors overtook the review on 26.10.2020, and the new review is expected to be published by the beginning of 2022. The review will be prepared based on most recent Cochrane methods. Readers may still find the outdated review on the CDSR (the Cochrane Library).

Should the Oddis sphincter be retained? A clinical analysis of biliary metal stent implantation in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze the efficacy and safety of preserving the Oddis sphincter during metallic biliary stent implantation in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, 133 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice who were admitted to our hospital from January 2010 to January 2017 and who underwent metallic biliary stent implantation were divided into two groups - the Oddis sphincter retention group (n = 55) and the Oddis sphincter nonretention group (n = 78) - according to whether the Oddis sphincter was left untouched during stent placement. The patient clinical data as well as information on complications, time of stent patency, improvement in liver function, and decline of serum bilirubin were reviewed and evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA, USA) and Prism version 7 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA). RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 9.6 months (range: 1-20 months) and there was no significant difference in general clinical information between the two groups. However, the incidence rates of acute biliary infection, recurrent biliary infection, acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and asymptomatic pancreatic enzyme levels were higher in the Oddis sphincter retention group and the differences were all statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conversely, there were no significant differences in bilirubin decline, liver function improvement, and stent patency between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Leaving the Oddis sphincter untouched during biliary stent placement can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, while there was no effect on stent patency or jaundice relief. Therefore, it is recommended to preserve the Oddis sphincter when the stenosis is more than 3 cm above the duodenal papilla.

Risk factors of post-ERCP pancreatitis in high-risk patients despite prevention with prophylactic pancreatic stents.

Objectives: To analyze risk factors of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in high risk patients in whom prophylactic pancreatic stents (PPSs) were intended to use to prevent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP)-related complications.Patients and methods: Three hundred and seventeen high-risk patients for developing PEP were considered for preventive pancreatic stent placement in our endoscopy unit over 5 years. 5 Fr, 3-5 cm long PPSs were used. All data were collected in a predefined database. Development of PEP despite PPS placement was analyzed.Results: PEP occurred in 29 of 288 successfully stented patients (10.07%; 24 mild, four moderate, one severe). PPS was protective against all risks factors except for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD). PPS related complication rate was 2.78% (n = 8). Unsuccessful stenting occurred in 29 patients (9.15%), PEP developed in 41.38% (n = 12; seven mild, four moderate, one severe). Those patients who had more patient related risk factors were more likely to develop PEP despite preventive measures with PPS. On the contrary, PPS placement was less successful in patients who had more procedure related risk factors.Conclusions: PPS is protective against all risks factors of PEP except for SOD in high-risk patients. More vulnerable patients who have more patient-related risk factors are more likely to develop PEP despite PPS is used, while more complex procedures predispose to unsuccessful PPS placement in patients with more procedure-related risk factors. PPS insertion in high-risk patients is effective and safe preventive method and the procedure related complication rate is reasonably low.

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: A systematic review for prevention and treatment.

BACKGROUND: Post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is comparatively complex application. Researchers has been investigated prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), since it has been considered to be the most common complication of ERCP. Although ERCP can lead various complications, it can also be avoided.AIMSTo study the published evidence and systematically review the literature on the prevention and treatment for PEP. METHODS: A systematic literature review on the prevention of PEP was conducted using the electronic databases of ISI Web of Science, PubMed and Cochrane Library for relevant articles. The electronic search for the review was performed by using the search terms "Post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis" AND "prevention" through different criteria. The search was restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) performed between January 2009 and February 2019. Duplicate studies were detected by using EndNote and deleted by the author. PRISMA checklist and flow diagram were adopted for evaluation and reporting. The reference lists of the selected papers were also scanned to find other relevant studies. RESULTS: 726 studies meeting the search criteria and 4 relevant articles found in the edited books about ERCP were identified. Duplicates and irrelevant studies were excluded by screening titles and abstracts and assessing full texts. 54 studies were evaluated for full text review. Prevention methods were categorized into three groups as (1) assessment of patient related factors; (2) pharmacoprevention; and (3) procedural techniques for prevention. Most of studies in the literature showed that young age, female gender, absence of chronic pancreatitis, suspected Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, recurrent pancreatitis and history of previous PEP played a crucial role in posing high risks for PEP. 37 studies designed to assess the impact of 24 different pharmacologic agents to reduce the development of PEP delivered through various administration methods were reviewed. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely used to reduce risks for PEP. Rectal administration of indomethacin immediately prior to or after ERCP in all patients is recommended by European Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines to prevent the development of PEP. The majority of the studies reviewed revealed that rectally administered indomethacin had efficacy to prevent PEP. Results of the other studies on the other pharmacological interventions had both controversial and promising results. Thirteen studies conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 4 distinct procedural techniques to prevent the development of PEP were reviewed. Pancreatic Stent Placement has been frequently used in this sense and has potent and promising benefits in the prevention of PEP. Studies on the other procedural techniques have had inconsistent results. CONCLUSION: Prevention of PEP involves multifactorial aspects, including assessment of patients with high risk factors for alternative therapeutic and diagnostic techniques, administration of pharmacological agents and procedural techniques with highly precise results in the literature.

The 3-D muscular structure of the human pancreaticobiliary junction

The musculature of the human pancreaticobiliary junction (PBJ) is implicated in several pathologies and is of significance to clinicians who perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This study sought to describe the musculature of the human PBJ by generating a three-dimensional reconstruction of histologic sections. A single pancreaticoduodenal specimen was removed en bloc from an embalmed cadaver with no pancreaticoduodenal disease. Sections were stained with Masson's trichrome and the staining pattern of muscle fibers was used to generate information regarding their location and orientation. The outline of groups of muscle fibers taken from photomicrographs of alternate thin serial sections were highlighted based upon their orientation (circular or longitudinal) and location (duodenal or papillary). Data point co-ordinates were used to create a 3-D image reconstruction.A total of 91 composite serial cross-sections were reconstructed. Circular and longitudinal muscle fibers formed a completely investing muscle layer around both the bile and pancreatic ducts, and there was a clear distinction between the intrinsic muscles of the PBJ and those of the duodenal wall. Circular fibers were particularly dense distal to the confluence of the ducts. Longitudinal fibers were incompletely distributed around the pancreaticobiliary sphincter and did not extend to the tip of the major duodenal papilla. This model supports the well-established concept of an intrinsic pancreaticobiliary sphincter composed of circular and longitudinal muscle fibers, distinct from the surrounding duodenal muscle. Targeting the distal end of the PBJ during ERCP would only partially disrupt this muscular sphincter mechanism

No disponible

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction After Gastric Bypass: Surgical or Endoscopic Therapy?

BACKGROUND: Management of Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) requires advanced techniques (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography via gastrostomy [GERCP]) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for obesity. Transduodenal sphincteroplasty (TS) is also performed yet carries the risks of surgery. We hypothesized that TS would have increased morbidity and mortality but provide a more durable remission of symptoms. METHODS: All patients between 2005 and 2016 with RYGB for obesity undergoing endoscopic or surgical management for type I or II SOD were included in the study. Patients with type III SOD, or who underwent RYGB for nonobesity indications, were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were identified. GERCP was initially performed in 17 patients, whereas TS was performed in 21. Thirty-day mortality was 0% in our cohort, and 30-d morbidity was similar between GERCP and TS (29% versus 10%; P = 0.207). Resolution of symptoms after initial therapy was seen in 41% of GERCP (7/17) and 67% of TS (14/21) (P = 0.190), respectively, and overall after 35% (8/23) and 64% (16/24) of procedures performed (P = 0.042). Symptom resolution, as defined by the median ratio of days of total remission by total days of observed follow-up, was shorter after initial and all interventions with GERCP compared with TS (0.67 versus 1.00, P = 0.036 and 0.52 versus 1.00, P = 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic and surgical treatment of SOD had similar morbidity and mortality. However, treatment success and duration of remission was higher in those treated with surgery.

Adverse Events and Reinterventions Following Pancreatic Endoscopic Sphincterotomy.

OBJECTIVES: Pancreatic endoscopic sphincterotomy (PES) is an independent risk factor for short- and long-term adverse events (AEs) of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. We sought to measure PES-specific AEs and trends in the use of PES. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort of consecutive patients who underwent first-time PES between June 2008 and June 2015. Indications for PES were dichotomized: (1) structural pathology (chronic pancreatitis and local complications of acute pancreatitis) and (2) suspected sphincter pathology (idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction). Rates of AEs and pancreatic orifice reinterventions were measured, with reintervention rates limited to those having a minimum of 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Of 567 patients, 198 (34.9%) underwent PES for structural and 369 (65.1%) for suspected sphincter pathology. Rates of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and unplanned hospitalization were high when PES was originally performed for suspected sphincter pathology (12.6% and 14.6%, respectively). The overall reintervention rate was 28.9% and significantly greater for sphincter (41.7%) compared with structural pathology (13.5%, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The likelihood of reintervention after PES is high, particularly when the primary indication is suspected sphincter pathology such as idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify if and when this maneuver confers significant benefit to patients.

Differences in efficacy of uncovered self-expandable metal stent in relation to placement in the management of malignant distal biliary obstruction.

Background/Aims: Metal stent insertion is a common palliative treatment for distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) but whether placement across the sphincter of Oddi (SO) causes more complications or shorter survival is in question. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of percutaneous uncovered self-expandable metal stent placement above and across the SO in patients with distal MBO. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively studied 59 patients who underwent uncovered metal stent placement for distal MBO between January 2012 and March 2016. Stents were placed above the SO for 22 subjects (group A) and across the SO for 37 subjects (group B). Early cholangitis, stent occlusion, and overall survival time were compared between the two groups. Results: Clinical success was 90.9 and 86.5% for groups A and B, respectively. Early cholangitis occurred in 2 patients (9.1%) in group A and in 6 patients (16.2%) in group B (P = 0.645). Median stent patency and median survival time was 105 and 140 days for group A, 120 and 160 days for group B, respectively. The stent occlusion (31.8% in group A and 21.6% in group B, P = 0.454) and the cumulative stent patency times (P = 0.886) did not differ between the two groups. There was no significant difference in cumulative patient survival between the two groups (P = 0.810). Conclusion: Uncovered metal stent placement across the SO did not significantly affect early cholangitis, stent patency, or patient survival.

The EPISOD study: long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The EPISOD (Evaluating Predictors and Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction) study randomized patients with post-cholecystectomy pain, and little or no objective evidence for biliary obstruction, to sphincterotomy or sham intervention. Results at 1 year showed no benefit for the active treatment. We now report the outcomes at up to 5 years. METHODS: One hundred three patients completing 1 year, and still blinded to treatment allocation, were enrolled and followed by phone every 6 months for a median of 58 months (range, 17-71 months). Their success was assessed at the final visit by 2 criteria: (1) a low pain score (Recurrent Abdominal Pain and Disability instrument [RAPID] <6) and (2) much or very much improved on the Patients' Global Impression of Change (PGIC) questionnaire (both with no repeat intervention and not taking narcotics). RESULTS: By the RAPID criteria, success rates for the patients in the sphincterotomy and sham arms were similar: 26/65 (40%) versus 16/38 (42%), respectively. However, by the PGIC criteria, actively treated patients fared worse: 16/43 (37%) versus 16/22 (73%). A total of 75 patients underwent active treatment during the entire study. Their success rate by the RAPID criteria was 31 (41%) compared with 16 (62%) who had no active treatment at any time. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm our initial report that endoscopic sphincterotomy is no better than sham intervention in these patients (and, by some criteria, worse), and that ERCP can no longer be recommended. The patients have genuine and often severe symptoms, and further research is needed to establish effective management. (Clinical trial registration number: 00688662 05/3/2008.).

Early adverse events and long-term outcomes of endoscopic sphincterotomy in a pediatric population: a single-center experience.

Background and aims: The use of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in the management of pancreaticobiliary disease in children is increasing. However, studies of long-term outcomes are limited in pediatric patients. Therefore, this study evaluated the early adverse events and long-term outcomes following EST in pediatric patients. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 198 pediatric patients who underwent ESTs at Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital between 1994 and 2013. The median age was 8.7 years (range 18 months to17 years). We evaluated the indications, success rates, early adverse events, and long-term outcomes. Results: Long-term information was available in 198 patients with a median follow-up duration of 42 months (range, 1.8 - 232.1 months). Early adverse events (< 30 days) following 294 ESTs among 198 patients included pancreatitis in 17 (5.7 %), hemorrhages in 6 (2.0 %), sepsis in 3 (1.0 %), and perforations in 2 (0.7 %). Long-term complications ( > 30 days) developed in 12 patients (6.1 %), including cholangitis with or without bile duct stone (n = 7), and minor papilla restenosis (n = 5). The cumulative incidence rates of long-term complications were 3.1 %, 6.1 %, 9.3 %, and 9.3 %, at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years. There were no procedure-related pancreaticobiliary malignancies or deaths. All adverse events and long-term complications improved with appropriate management. Conclusions: In pediatric patients with pancreaticobiliary disease, EST has a high level of technical success. In addition, pediatric EST showed low rates of early adverse events and long-term complications, which could be managed safely. Our results suggest that EST is a safe method for treating pancreaticobiliary disease, even in the pediatric population.