Red cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio is a simple promising prognostic marker in acute cholangitis requiring biliary drainage

Background: It is crucial to assess the severity of acute cholangitis(AC). There are currently several prognostic markers. However, the accuracies of these markers are not satisfied. The present study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the red cell distribution width(RDW)-to-albumin ratio(RAR) for the prognosis of AC. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients diagnosed with AC between May 2019 and March 2022. RAR was calculated, and its predictive ability for in-hospital mortality, intensive care unit(ICU) admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization were analyzed. Results: Out of 438 patients, 34(7.8%) died. Multivariate analysis showed that malignant etiology [odds ratio(OR) = 4.816, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.936-11.980], creatinine(OR = 1.649, 95% CI: 1.095-2.484), and RAR(OR = 2.064, 95% CI: 1.494-2.851) were independent risk factors for mortality. When adjusted for relevant covariates, including age, sex, malignant etiology, Tokyo severity grading(TSG), Charlson comorbidity index, and creatinine, RAR significantly predicted mortality(adjusted OR = 1.833, 95% CI: 1.280-2.624). When the cut-off of RAR was set to 3.8, its sensitivity and specificity for mortality were 94.1% and 56.7%, respectively. Patients with an RAR of > 3.8 had a 20.9-fold(OR = 20.9, 95% CI: 4.9-88.6) greater risk of mortality than the remaining patients. The area under the curve value of RAR for mortality was 0.835(95% CI: 0.770-0.901), which was significantly higher than that of TSG and the other prognostic markers, such as C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio, and procalcitonin-to-albumin ratio. Lastly, RAR was not inferior to TSG in predicting ICU admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization. Conclusions: RAR successfully predicted the in-hospital mortality, ICU admission, bacteremia, and the length of hospitalization of patients with AC, especially in-hospital mortality. RAR is a promising marker that is more convenient than TSG and other prognostic markers for predicting the prognosis of patients with AC.

Endoscopic-ultrasound-guided biliary drainage with placement of electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stent for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction:Updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage using electrocautery-enhanced(ECE)delivery of lumen-apposing metal stent(LAMS)is gradually being re-cognized as a viable palliative technique for malignant biliary obstruction after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)failure.However,most of the studies that have assessed its efficacy and safety were small and hetero-geneous.Prior meta-analyses of six or fewer studies that were published 2 years ago were therefore underpowered to yield convincing evidence.AIM To update the efficacy and safety of ECE-LAMS for treatment of biliary ob-struction after ERCP failure.METHODS We searched PubMed,EMBASE,and Scopus databases from the inception of the ECE technique to May 13,2022.Primary outcome measure was pooled technical success rate,and secondary outcomes were pooled rates of clinical success,re-intervention,and adverse events.Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model following Freeman-Tukey double-arcsine transformation in R soft-ware(version 4.1.3).RESULTS Fourteen eligible studies involving 620 participants were ultimately included.The pooled rate of technical success was 96.7%,and clinical success was 91.0%.Adverse events were reported in 17.5%of patients.Overall reinter-vention rate was 7.3%.Subgroup analyses showed results were generally consistent.CONCLUSION ECE-LAMS has favorable success with acceptable adverse events in relieving biliary obstruction when ERCP is impossible.The consistency of results across most subgroups suggested that this is a generalizable approach.

Predictive value of presepsin and acylcarnitines for severity and biliary drainage in acute cholangitis

BACKGROUND Bacteremia,which is a major cause of mortality in patients with acute cholangitis,induces hyperactive immune response and mitochondrial dysfunction.Presepsin is responsible for pathogen recognition by innate immunity.Acylcarnitines are established mitochondrial biomarkers.AIM To clarify the early predictive value of presepsin and acylcarnitines as biomarkers of severity of acute cholangitis and the need for biliary drainage.METHODS Of 280 patients with acute cholangitis were included and the severity was stratified according to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018.Blood presepsin and plasma acylcarnitines were tested at enrollment by chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,respectively.RESULTS The concentrations of presepsin,procalcitonin,short-and medium-chain acylcarnitines increased,while long-chain acylcarnitines decreased with the severity of acute cholangitis.The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves(AUC)of presepsin for diagnosing moderate/severe and severe cholangitis(0.823 and 0.801,respectively)were greater than those of conventional markers.The combination of presepsin,direct bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase,temperature,and butyryl-L-carnitine showed good predictive ability for biliary drainage(AUC:0.723).Presepsin,procalcitonin,acetyl-L-carnitine,hydroxydodecenoyl-Lcarnitine,and temperature were independent predictors of bloodstream infection.After adjusting for severity classification,acetyl-L-carnitine was the only acylcarnitine independently associated with 28-d mortality(hazard ratio 14.396;P<0.001)(AUC:0.880).Presepsin concentration showed positive correlation with direct bilirubin or acetyl-L-carnitine.CONCLUSION Presepsin could serve as a specific biomarker to predict the severity of acute cholangitis and need for biliary drainage.Acetyl-L-carnitine is a potential prognostic factor for patients with acute cholangitis.Innate immune response was associated with mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction in acute cholangitis.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage in surgically altered anatomy: A comprehensive review of various approaches

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)is the preferred modality for drainage of the obstructed biliary tree.In patients with surgically altered anatomy,ERCP using standard techniques may not be feasible.Enteroscope assisted ERCP is usually employed with variable success rate.With advent of endoscopic ultrasound(EUS),biliary drainage procedures in patients with biliary obstruction and surgically altered anatomy is safe and effective.In this narrative review,we discuss role of EUS guided biliary drainage in patients with altered anatomy and the various approaches used in patients with benign and malignant biliary obstruction.

Endoscopic or percutaneous biliary drainage in hilar cholangiocarcinoma:When and how?

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hCCA) is a primary liver tumor associated with a dimprognosis. The role of preoperative and palliative biliary drainage has long beendebated. The most common techniques are endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD);however, recently developed endoscopic ultrasound-assisted methods are gainingmore atention. Selecting the best available method in any specific scenario iscrucial, yet sometimes challenging. Thus, this review aimed to discuss theavailable techniques, indications, perks, pitfalls, and timing-related issues in themanagement of hCCA. In a preoperative setting, PTBD appears to have someadvantages: low risk of postprocedural complications (namely cholangitis) andbetter priming for surgery. For palliative purposes, we propose ERCP/PTBDdepending on the experience of the operators, but also on other factors: the levelof bilirubin (if very high, rather PTBD), length of the stenosis and the presence ofcholangitis (PTBD), ERCP failure, or altered biliary anatomy.

Biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: the endoscopic versus percutaneous approach

BACKGROUND: For palliative treatment of the obstructive jaundice associated with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) or endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) has been performed. PTBD is preferred as an initial procedure. Little is known about the better option for patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable HCC. METHODS: Sixty patients who had received ERBD or PTBD for the palliative treatment of obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable HCC between January 2006 and May 2010 were included in this retrospective study. Successful drainage, drainage patency, and the overall survival of patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that the overall frequency of successful drainage was higher in the ERBD group (22/29, 75.9%) than in the PTBD group (15/31, 48.4%) (P=0.029); but multivariate analysis showed marginal significance (P=0.057). The duration of drainage patency was longer in the ERBD group than in the PTBD group (82 vs 37 days, respectively, P=0.020). Regardless of what procedure was performed, the median survival time of patients who had a successful drainage was much longer than that of the patients who did not have a successful drainage (143 vs 38 days, respectively, P<0.001).CONCLUSION: Besides PTBD, ERBD may be used as the initial treatment option to improve obstructive jaundice in patients with unresectable HCC if there is a longer duration of drainage patency after a successful drainage.

Clinical utility of treatment method conversion during single-session endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage

BACKGROUND Although several techniques for endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD)are available at present,an optimal treatment algorithm of EUS-BD has not yet been established.AIM To evaluate the clinical utility of treatment method conversion during single endoscopic sessions for difficult cases in initially planned EUS-BD.METHODS This was a single-center retrospective analysis using a prospectively accumulated database.Patients with biliary obstruction undergoing EUS-BD between May 2008 and April 2016 were included.The primary outcome was to evaluate the improvement in EUS-BD success rates by converting the treatment methods during a single endoscopic session.Secondary outcomes were clarification of the factors leading to the conversion from the initial EUS-BD and the assessment of efficacy and safety of the conversion as judged by technical success,clinical success,and adverse events(AEs).RESULTS A total of 208 patients underwent EUS-BD during the study period.For 18.8%(39/208)of the patients,the treatment methods were converted to another EUSBD technique from the initial plan.Biliary obstruction was caused by pancreatobiliary malignancies,other malignant lesions,biliary stones,and other benign lesions in 22,11,4,and 2 patients,respectively.The reasons for the difficulty with the initial EUS-BD were classified into the following 3 procedures:Target puncture(n=13),guidewire manipulation(n=18),and puncture tract dilation(n=8).Technical success was achieved in 97.4%(38/39)of the cases and clinical success was achieved in 89.5%of patients(34/38).AEs occurred in 10.3%of patients,including bile leakage(n=2),bleeding(n=1),and cholecystitis(n=1).The puncture target and drainage technique were altered in subsequent EUSBD procedures in 25 and 14 patients,respectively.The final technical success rate with 95%CI for all 208 cases was 97.1%(95%CI:93.8%-98.9%),while that of the initially planned EUS-BD was 78.8%(95%CI:72.6%-84.2%).CONCLUSION Among multi-step procedures in EUS-BD,guidewire manipulation appeared to be the most technically challenging.When initially planned EUS-BD is technically difficult,treatment method conversion in a single endoscopic session may result in successful EUS-BD without leading to severe AEs.

Impact of Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage on Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Malignant Obstructive Jaundice Undergoing Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Preoperative biliary drainage may increase the morbidity and mortality of pancreatico-duodenectomy.Studies on percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD)before laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD),however,are scarce.The aim of this study was to examine the impact of PTBD on clinical outcomes of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice undergoing LPD.Clinical data of 172 patients who had malignant obstructive jaundice and underwent LPD from 2014 to 2017 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Demographics,catheterrelated complications,postoperative complications,and oncological outcormes were collected and analyzed.Propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias associated with the comparison of data between patients who underwent PTBD and then LPD(PTBD group),and those given LPD alone(LPD group).The results showed that,in the PTBD group relative to the LPD group,the operating time was significantly shortened(250.28±69.95 vs.278.58±86.51 min,P=0.0196),the intraopcrative blood loss was markedly reduced(271.96±403.47 vs.429.72±482.47 mL,P=0.022),and overall rates of complications(16.33%vs.36.49%,P=0.0025)including postoperative haemorrhage(2.04%vs.12.16%,P=0.0072)and delayed gastric emptying(4.08% vs.13.51%,P=0.0251)were greatly decreased.The propensity score-matched analysis,with 48 patients enrolled in each group,revealed no statistically significant differences in operating duration(262.71±68.64 vs.280.25±83.52 min,P=0.264),intraoperative blood loss(290.21±407.71 vs.373.75±422.33 mL,P=0.327)and delayed gastric emptying(4.17% vs.12.50%,P=0.1396).PTBD group had lower incidences in overall complications(22.92% vs.39.58%,P=0.0481)and postoperative haemorrhage(2.08% vs.12.50%,P=0.0497)than LPD group.In conclusion,patients with malignant obstructive jaundice may benefit from PTBD procedure before LPD in terms of perioperative outcomes.

Influence of bile contamination for patients who undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy after biliary drainage

BACKGROUND The influence of bile contamination on the infectious complications of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD)has not been thoroughly evaluated.AIM To evaluate the effect of preoperative biliary drainage and bile contamination on the outcomes of patients who undergo PD.METHODS The database of 4101 patients who underwent PD was reviewed.Preoperative biliary drainage was performed in 1964 patients(47.9%),and bile contamination was confirmed in 606 patients(14.8%).RESULTS The incidence of postoperative infectious complications was 37.9%in patients with preoperative biliary drainage and 42.4%in patients with biliary contamination,respectively.Patients with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma,ampulla of Vater carcinoma,and pancreatic carcinoma had a high frequency of preoperative biliary drainage(82.9%,54.6%,and 50.8%)and bile contamination(34.3%,26.2%,and 20.2%).Bile contamination was associated with postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)Grade B/C,wound infection,and catheter infection.A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that biliary contamination(odds ratio 1.33,P=0.027)was the independent risk factor for POPF Grade B/C.The three most commonly cultured microorganisms from bile(Enterococcus,Klebsiella,and Enterobacter)were identical to those isolated from organ spaces.CONCLUSION In patients undergoing PD,bile contamination is related to postoperative infectious complication including POPF Grade B/C.The management of biliary contamination should be standardised for patients who require preoperative biliary drainage for PD,as the main microorganisms are identical in both organ spaces and bile.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage-current status and future perspectives

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)with stenting is the treatment modality of choice for patients with benign and malignant bile duct obstruction.ERCP could fail in cases of duodenal obstruction,duodenal diverticulum,ampullary neoplastic infiltration or surgically altered anatomy.In these cases percutaneous biliary drainage(PTBD)is traditionally used as a rescue procedure but is related to high morbidity and mortality and lower quality of life.Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD)is a relatively new interventional procedure that arose due to the development of curvilinear echoendoscope and the various endoscopic devices.A large amount of data is already collected that proves its efficacy,safety and ability to replace PTBD in cases of ERCP failure.It is also possible that EUS-BD could be chosen as a first-line treatment option in some clinical scenarios in the near future.Several EUS-BD techniques are developed EUS-guided transmural stenting,antegrade stenting and rendezvous technique and can be personalized depending on the individual anatomy.EUS-BD is normally performed in the same session from the same endoscopist in case of ERCP failure.The lack of training,absence of enough dedicated devices and lack of standardization still makes EUS-BD a difficult and not very popular procedure,which is related to life-threatening adverse events.Developing training models,dedicated devices and guidelines hopefully will make EUS-BD easier,safer and well accepted in the future.This paper focuses on the technical aspects of the different EUS-BD procedures,available literature data,advantages,negative aspects and the future perspectives of these modalities.

Optimal timing of biliary drainage based on the severity of acute cholangitis:A single-center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Biliary decompression is well known to greatly decrease the risks of mortality in acute cholangitis(AC).Although early biliary drainage is recommended by the treatment guidelines for AC,the best time for performing this procedure is yet to be established.Furthermore,since the clinical outcomes of patients with severe AC vary dramatically,screening for patients that could benefit the most from early drainage would be more beneficial than the drainage performed based on the severity grade criteria.AIM To investigate the optimal drainage timing for AC patients with each disease severity grade and organ dysfunction.METHODS In this retrospective monocenter cohort analysis,we reviewed 1305 patients who were diagnosed with AC according to the Tokyo guidelines 2018 at a Chinese tertiary hospital between July 2016 and December 2020.Demographic characteristics including age and sex,clinical and laboratory characteristics,and imaging findings of each patient were obtained from electronic medical records.We investigated the all-cause in-hospital mortality(IHM),hospital length of stay(LOS),and hospitalization costs associated with the timing of biliary drainage according to the severity grading and different dysfunctioning organs and predictors[age,white blood cell(WBC)count,total bilirubin,albumin,lactate,malignant obstruction,and Charlton comorbidity index(CCI)].RESULTS Biliary drainage within 24 or 48 h in Grade Ⅲ AC patients could dramatically decrease IHM(3.9%vs 9.0%,P=0.041;4%vs 9.9%,P=0.018,respectively),while increasing LOS and hospitalization costs.Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that neurological,respiratory,renal,and cardiovascular dysfunctions,hypoalbuminemia,and malignant obstruction were significantly associated with IHM(odds ratio=5.32,2.541,6.356,4.021,5.655,and 7.522;P<0.001,P=0.016,P<0.001,P=0.012,P<0.001,and P<0.001;respectively).Biliary decompression performed within 12 h of admission significantly decreased the IHM in AC patients with neurological dysfunction(0%vs 17.3%,P=0.041)or with serum lactate>2 mmol/L(0%vs 5.4%,P=0.016).In the subgroup of AC patients with renal dysfunction,abnormal WBC count,hyperbilirubinemia,or hypoalbuminemia,early drainage(<24 h)reduced the IHM(3.6%vs 33.3%,P=0.004;1.9%vs 5.8%,P=0.031;1.7%vs 5.0%,P=0.019;0%vs 27%,P=0.026;respectively).The IHM was lower in patients with AC combined with hepatic dysfunction,malignant obstruction,or a CCI>3 who had undergone biliary drainage within 48 h(2.6%vs 20.5%,P=0.016;3.0%vs 13.5%,P=0.006;3.4%vs 9.6%,P=0.021;respectively).CONCLUSION Biliary drainage within 12 h is beneficial for AC patients with neurological or cardiovascular dysfunction,while complete biliary decompression within 24 h of admission is recommended for treating patients with Grade Ⅲ AC.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage:Are we there yet?

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)is the mainstay procedure of choice for management of obstructive biliary disease.While ERCP is widely performed with high success rates,the procedure is not feasible in every patient such as cases of non-accessible papilla.In the setting of unsuccessful ERCP,endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD)has become a promising alternative to surgical bypass and percutaneous biliary drainage(PTBD).A variety of different forms of EUS-BD have been described,allowing for both intrahepatic and extrahepatic approaches.Recent studies have reported high success rates utilizing EUS-BD for both transpapillary and transluminal drainage,with fewer adverse events when compared to PTBD.Advancements in novel technologies designed specifically for EUS-BD have led to increased success rates as well as improved safety profile for the procedure.The techniques of EUS-BD are yet to be fully standardized and are currently performed by highly trained advanced endoscopists.The aim of our review is to highlight the different EUSguided interventions for achieving biliary drainage and to both assess the progress that has been made in the field as well as consider what the future may hold.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography vs endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that involves inserting a needle into the biliary tree,followed by the immediate insertion of a catheter.Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD)is a novel technique that allows BD by echoendoscopy and fluoroscopy using a stent from the biliary tree to the gastrointestinal tract.AIM To compare the technical aspects and outcomes of percutaneous transhepatic BD(PTBD)and EUS-BD.METHODS Different databases,including PubMed,Embase,clinicaltrials.gov,the Cochrane library,Scopus,and Google Scholar,were searched according to the guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses to obtain studies comparing PTBD and EUS-BD.RESULTS Among the six studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria,PTBD patients underwent significantly more reinterventions(4.9 vs 1.3),experienced more postprocedural pain(4.1 vs 1.9),and experienced more late adverse events(53.8%vs 6.6%)than EUS-BD patients.There was a significant reduction in the total bilirubin levels in both the groups(16.4-3.3μmol/L and 17.2-3.8μmol/L for EUSBD and PTBD,respectively;P=0.002)at the 7-d follow-up.There were no significant differences observed in the complication rates between PTBD and EUSBD(3.3 vs 3.8).PTBD was associated with a higher adverse event rate than EUSBD in all the procedures,including reinterventions(80.4%vs 15.7%,respectively)and a higher index procedure(39.2%vs 18.2%,respectively).CONCLUSION The findings of this systematic review revealed that EUS-BD is linked with a higher rate of effective BD and a more manageable procedure-related adverse event profile than PTBD.These findings highlight the evidence for successful EUS-BD implementation.

Portal vein embolization in the treatment of portal vein bleeding after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: A case report and literature review

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD)is an effective treatment for benign and malignant obstructive jaundice.Major bleeding complications occur in approximately 2–3%of patients after PTBD,which can result in death.A case involving a 63-year-old male with malignant obstructive jaundice,who experienced severe bleeding after PTBD,is reported.Emergency digital subtraction angiography,celiac trunk artery and superior mesenteric artery angiography were performed;however,no signs of arterial bleeding were found.To identify etiology,portal venography was performed under ultrasound guidance and portal vein bleeding was diagnosed.Ultimately,selective portal vein embolization successfully stopped the bleeding.

Reality named endoscopic ultrasound biliary drainage

Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) is used for diagnosis and evaluation of many diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the past, it was used to guide a cholangio-graphy, but nowadays it emerges as a powerful thera-peutic tool in biliary drainage. The aims of this review are: outline the rationale for endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EGBD); detail the procedural technique; evaluate the clinical outcomes and limitations of the method; and provide recommendations for the practicing clinician. In cases of failed endoscopic retro-grade cholangiopancreatography(ERCP), patients are usually referred for either percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD) or surgical bypass. Both these procedures have high rates of undesirable complications. EGBD is an attractive alternative to PTBD or surgery when ERCP fails. EGBD can be performed at two locations: transhepatic or extrahepatic, and the stent can be inserted in an antegrade or retrograde fashion. The drainage route can be transluminal, duodenal or trans-papillary, which, again, can be antegrade or retrograde [rendezvous(EUS-RV)]. Complications of all techniques combined include pneumoperitoneum, bleeding, bile leak/peritonitis and cholangitis. We recommend EGBD when bile duct access is not possible because of failed cannulation, altered upper GI tract anatomy, gastric outlet obstruction, a distorted ampulla or a periampullary diverticulum, as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery or radiology.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage using electrocauteryenhanced lumen-apposing metal stent for malignant biliary obstruction:A promising procedure

In this editorial,we comment on the article by Peng et al.Palliative drainage for biliary obstruction resulting from unresectable malignant lesions includes internal and external drainage.The procedures of biliary drainage are usually guided by fluoroscopy or transcutaneous ultrasound,endoscopic ultrasound(EUS),or both.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)has been primarily recommended for the management of biliary obstruction,while EUS-guided biliary drainage and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD)are alternative choices for cases where ERCP has failed or is impossible.PTBD is limited by shortcomings of a higher rate of adverse events,more reinterventions,and severe complications.EUS-guided biliary drainage has a lower rate of adverse events than PTBD.EUS-guided biliary drainage with electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stent(ECE-LAMS)enables EUS-guided biliaryenteric anastomosis to be performed in a single step and does not require prior bile duct puncture or a guidewire.The present meta-analysis showed that ECELAMS has a high efficacy and safety in relieving biliary obstruction in general,although the results of LAMS depending on the site of biliary obstruction.This study has highlighted the latest advances with a larger sample-based comprehensive analysis.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage vs percutaneous transhepatic bile duct drainage in the management of malignant obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND Malignant obstructive jaundice(MOJ)is a condition characterized by varying degrees of bile duct stenosis and obstruction,accompanied by the progressive development of malignant tumors,leading to high morbidity and mortality rates.Currently,the two most commonly employed methods for its management are percutaneous transhepatic bile duct drainage(PTBD)and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD).While both methods have demonstrated favorable outcomes,additional research needs to be performed to determine their relative efficacy.To compare the therapeutic effectiveness of EUS-BD and PTBD in treating MOJ.METHODS This retrospective analysis,conducted between September 2015 and April 2023 at The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University(The First People’s Hospital of Changzhou),involved 68 patients with MOJ.The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of surgical procedure received:EUS-BD subgroup(n=33)and PTBD subgroup(n=35).Variables such as general data,preoperative and postoperative indices,blood routine,liver function indices,myocardial function indices,operative success rate,clinical effectiveness,and complication rate were analyzed and compared between the subgroups.RESULTS In the EUS-BD subgroup,hospital stay duration,bile drainage volume,effective catheter time,and clinical effect-iveness rate were superior to those in the PTBD subgroup,although the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).The puncture time for the EUS-BD subgroup was shorter than that for the PTBD subgroup(P<0.05).Postoperative blood routine,liver function index,and myocardial function index in the EUS-BD subgroup were significantly lower than those in the PTBD subgroup(P<0.05).Additionally,the complication rate in the EUS-BD subgroup was lower than in the PTBD subgroup(P<0.05).CONCLUSION EUS-BD may reduce the number of punctures,improve liver and myocardial functions,alleviate traumatic stress,and decrease complication rates in MOJ treatment.

Defining failure of endoluminal biliary drainage in the era of endoscopic ultrasound and lumen apposing metal stents

The role of endoscopy in pathologies of the bile duct and gallbladder has seen notable advancements over the past two decades.With advancements in stent technology,such as the development of lumen-apposing metal stents,and adoption of endoscopic ultrasound and electrosurgical principles in therapeutic endoscopy,what was once considered endoscopic failure has transformed into failure of an approach that could be salvaged by a second-or third-line endoscopic strategy.Incorporation of these advancements in routine patient care will require formal training and multidisciplinary acceptance of established techniques and collaboration for advancement of experimental techniques to generate robust evidence that can be utilized to serve patients to the best of our ability.

Efficacy and safety analysis of continued nursing of complications in discharged patients after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

BACKGROUND Percutaneous hepatobiliary drainage(PTCD)is an effective method for the treatment of biliary obstruction and other diseases,but postoperative complications are still one of the important problems faced by patients.Continuous nursing is a comprehensive nursing model that plays an important role in postoperative recovery.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of continuous nursing on the incidence of complications in patients after PTCD surgery through meta-analysis and to evaluate its efficacy and safety.AIM To evaluate the effect of extended nursing on the incidence of complications in discharged patients after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD).METHODS Randomized controlled studies on PTBD postdischarge extended care were identified in the CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,CBM,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,Web of Science,and other databases.The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute of Australia literature quality evaluation tool,and a meta-analysis of the included studies was performed with RevMan 5.4 software.RESULTS Finally,9 studies were included,with a total sample size of 854 patients(425 patients in the control group and 429 patients in the intervention group).Meta-analysis revealed that extended care effectively reduced biliary tract infection(RR:0.42,95%CI:0.30-0.57),puncture wound infection(RR:0.19,95%CI:0.06-0.65),catheter protrusion or displacement in discharged patients after PTBD(RR:0.31,95%CI:0.18-0.54),catheter blockage(RR:0.23,95%CI:0.13-0.42),skin infection around the drainage tube(RR:0.30,95%CI:0.12-0.77),and catheter-related readmissions(RR:0.34,95%CI:0.18-0.65)(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Compared with conventional discharge care,extended care can effectively reduce the occurrence of complications such as biliary tract infection,puncture wound infection,catheter prolapse or displacement,catheter blockage,skin infection around the drainage tube,and catheter-related readmission in discharged patients after PTBD.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage(EUS-BD)directs bile flow into the digestive tract and has been mostly used in patients with malignant biliary obstruction(MBO)where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided biliary drainage was unsuccessful or was not feasible.Lumen apposing metal stents(LAMS)are deployed during EUS-BD,with the newer electrocautery-enhanced LAMS reducing procedure time and complication rates due to the inbuilt cautery at the catheter tip.EUS-BD with electrocautery-enhanced LAMS has high technical and clinical success rates for palliation of MBO,with bleeding,cholangitis,and stent occlusion being the most common adverse events.Recent studies have even suggested comparable efficacy between EUS-BD and endosc-opic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as the primary approach for distal MBO.In this editorial,we commented on the article by Peng et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery in 2024.