Use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage as a rescue approach in cases of unsuccessful biliary drainage

This narrative review provides an overview of the utilization of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage(EUS-GBD)as a salvage approach in cases of unsuccessful conventional management.EUS-GBD is a minimally invasive and effective technique for drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis with high risk of surgery.The procedure has demonstrated impressive technical and clinical success rates with low rates of adverse events,making it a safe and effective option for appropriate candidates.Furthermore,EUS-GBD can also serve as a rescue option for patients who have failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or EUS biliary drainage for relief of jaundice in malignant biliary stricture.However,patient selection is critical for the success of EUS-GBD,and proper patient selection and risk assessment are important to ensure the safety and efficacy of the procedure.As the field continues to evolve and mature,ongoing research will further refine our understanding of the benefits and limitations of EUS-GBD,ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients.

Evaluating effectiveness and safety of combined percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis patients:Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Acute cholecystitis(AC)is a common disease in general surgery.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)is widely recognized as the"gold standard"surgical procedure for treating AC.For low-risk patients without complications,LC is the recommended treatment plan,but there is still controversy regarding the treatment strategy for moderate AC patients,which relies more on the surgeon's experience and the medical platform of the visiting unit.Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder puncture drainage(PTGBD)can effectively alleviate gallbladder inflammation,reduce gallbladder wall edema and adhesion around the gallbladder,and create a"time window"for elective surgery.AIM To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of LC or PTGBD combined with LC for treating AC patients,providing a theoretical basis for choosing reasonable surgical methods for AC patients.METHODS In this study,we conducted a clinical investigation regarding the combined use of PTGBD tubes for the treatment of gastric cancer patients with AC.We performed searches in the following databases:PubMed,Web of Science,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,and Wanfang Database.The search encompassed literature published from the inception of these databases to the present.Subsequently,relevant data were extracted,and a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software.RESULTS A comprehensive analysis was conducted,encompassing 24 studies involving a total of 2564 patients.These patients were categorized into two groups:1371 in the LC group and 1193 in the PTGBD+LC group.The outcomes of the meta-analysis revealed noteworthy disparities between the PTGBD+LC group and the LC group in multiple dimensions:(1)Operative time:Mean difference(MD)=17.51,95%CI:9.53-25.49,P<0.01;(2)Conversion to open surgery rate:Odds ratio(OR)=2.95,95%CI:1.90-4.58,P<0.01;(3)Intraoperative bleeding loss:MD=32.27,95%CI:23.03-41.50,P<0.01;(4)Postoperative hospital stay:MD=1.44,95%CI:0.14-2.73,P=0.03;(5)Overall postoperative compli-cation rate:OR=1.88,95%CI:1.45-2.43,P<0.01;(6)Bile duct injury:OR=2.17,95%CI:1.30-3.64,P=0.003;(7)Intra-abdominal hemorrhage:OR=2.45,95%CI:1.06-5.64,P=0.004;and(8)Wound infection:OR=0.These find-ings consistently favored the PTGBD+LC group over the LC group.There were no significant differences in the total duration of hospitalization[MD=-1.85,95%CI:-4.86-1.16,P=0.23]or bile leakage[OR=1.33,95%CI:0.81-2.18,P=0.26]between the two groups.CONCLUSION The combination of PTGBD tubes with LC for AC treatment demonstrated superior clinical efficacy and enhanced safety,suggesting its broader application value in clinical practice.

Endoscopic ultrasound guided gallbladder drainage - is it ready for prime time？

Management of acute cholecystitis includes initial sta-bilization and antibiotics. However, the most definitive treatment is cholecystectomy. A small percentage of patients who are not suitable for surgery due to the severity of cholecystitis or comorbidities will require a temporary measure as a bridge to surgery or permanent nonoperative management to decrease the mortality and morbidity. Most of these patients who require conservative management were managed with percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy or trans-papillary drainage of gallbladder drainage with cystic duct stenting through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography （ERCP）. Although, these conservative measures are effective, they can cause signifcant discomfort to the patients especially if used as a long-term measure. In view of this, there is a need for further minimally invasive procedures, which is safe, effective and comfortable to patients. Endoscopic ultrasound （EUS） guided gallbladder drainage is a novel method of gallbladder drainage frst described in 2007[1]. Over the last decade, EUS guided gallbladder drainage has evolved as an effective alternative to percutaneouscholecystostomy and trans-papillary gallbladder drai-nage. Our goal is to review available literature regarding the scope of EUS guided gallbladder drainage as a viable alternative to percutaneous cholecystostomy or cystic duct stenting through ERCP among patients who are not suitable for cholecystectomy.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis: Long-term outcomes after removal of a self-expandable metal stent

AIM To assess the long-term outcomes of this procedure after removal of self-expandable metal stent(SEMS). The efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasoundguided gallbladder drainage(EUS-GBD) with SEMS were also assessed.METHODS Between January 2010 and April 2015, 12 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis, who were deemed unsuitable for cholecystectomy, underwent EUSGBD with a SEMS. EUS-GBD was performed under the guidance of EUS and fluoroscopy, by puncturing the gallbladder with a needle, inserting a guidewire, dilating the puncture hole, and placing a SEMS. TheSEMS was removed and/or replaced with a 7-Fr plastic pigtail stent after cholecystitis improved. The technical and clinical success rates, adverse event rate, and recurrence rate were all measured.RESULTS The rates of technical success, clinical success, and adverse events were 100%, 100%, and 0%, respectively. After cholecystitis improved, the SEMS was removed without replacement in eight patients, whereas it was replaced with a 7-Fr pigtail stent in four patients. Recurrence was seen in one patient(8.3%) who did not receive a replacement pigtail stent. The median follow-up period after EUS-GBD was 304 d(78-1492).CONCLUSION EUS-GBD with a SEMS is a possible alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis. Long-term outcomes after removal of the SEMS were excellent. Removal of the SEMS at 4-wk after SEMS placement and improvement of symptoms might avoid migration of the stent and recurrence of cholecystitis due to food impaction.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage in acute cholecystitis:An updated meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage has been the most frequently performed treatment for acute cholecystitis for patients who are not candidates for surgery.Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage(ETGBD)has evolved into an alternative treatment.There have been numerous retrospective and prospective studies evaluating ETGBD for acute cholecystitis,though results have been variable.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ETGBD in the treatment of inoperable patients with acute cholecystitis.METHODS We performed a systematic review of major literature databases including PubMed,OVID,Science Direct,Google Scholar(from inception to March 2021)to identify studies reporting technical and clinical success,and post procedure adverse events in ETGBD.Weighted pooled rates were then calculated using fixed effects models for technical and clinical success,and post procedure adverse events,including recurrent cholecystitis.RESULTS We found 21 relevant articles that were then included in the study.In all 1307 patients were identified.The pooled technical success rate was 82.62%[95%confidence interval(CI):80.63-84.52].The pooled clinical success rate was found to be 94.87%(95%CI:93.54-96.05).The pooled overall complication rate was 8.83%(95%CI:7.42-10.34).Pooled rates of post procedure adverse events were bleeding 1.03%(95%CI:0.58-1.62),perforation 0.78%(95%CI:0.39-1.29),peritonitis/bile leak 0.45%(95%CI:0.17-0.87),and pancreatitis 1.98%(95%CI:1.33-2.76).The pooled rates of stent occlusion and migration were 0.39%(95%CI:0.13-0.78)and 1.3%(95%CI:0.75-1.99)respectively.The pooled rate of cholecystitis recurrence following ETGBD was 1.48%(95%CI:0.92-2.16).CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis suggests that ETGBD is a feasible and efficacious treatment for inoperable patients with acute cholecystitis.

Biliopleural fistula: A rare complication of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage

A 79-year-old previously healthy man presented with acute acalculous cholecystitis with obstruction of the biliary tract. He was successfully treated with antibiotics and percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage, but returned to the hospital two days after discharge with a rare complication of this technique, biliopleural fistula. A thoracostomy tube was inserted to drain the pleural effusion, and the patient’s previous antibiotics reinstated. After two weeks of drainage and antibiotics, the fistula healed spontaneously without the need for further intervention.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage in pancreatic cancer and cholangitis: A case report

BACKGROUND Head pancreatic cancers often present with clinical challenges requiring biliary drainage for chemotherapy or palliative scope.If usual endoscopic modalities fail or if percutaneous approach is not feasible,endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)guided biliary drainage can be considered.Here we describe and discuss an interesting clinical case in which EUS-guided gallbladder drainage(EUS-GBD)was chosen to treat acute severe cholangitis in a patient with advanced pancreatic cancer.CASE SUMMARY An 84-year-old female with a previous EUS-biopsy proven diagnosis of head pancreatic cancer presented with clinical signs of acute cholangitis.In September 2018 she had positioned a biliary and duodenal stent to relieve jaundice and an initial duodenal substenosis.In the emergency ward,an abdominal computed tomography scan showed proximal biliary stent occlusion due to neoplastic progression,but endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was impossible because of worsening duodenal stenosis and the absence of a chance to reach the Vater’s papilla area.EUS-guided choledocoduodenostomy was not technically feasible but because the cystic duct was free of neoplastic infiltration,an EUS-GBD using an Axios^TM stent was successfully performed.The patient started to feed after 48 h and was discharged 1 wk later.No other hospitalizations due to cholangitis or symptoms of Axios^TM stent occlusion/dysfunction were observed up until her death 6 mo later due to underlying disease.CONCLUSION This case demonstrated how different EUS therapeutic approaches could have a key role to treat critical and seemingly unsolvable situations and that they could play a more fundamental role in the next future.

Comparison of trans-gastric vs trans-enteric(trans-duodenal or trans-jejunal)endoscopic ultrasound guided gallbladder drainage using lumen apposing metal stents

BACKGROUND Endoscopic ultrasound guided gallbladder drainage(EUS-GBD)is being increasingly used in practice(either as a bridge to cholecystectomy in high-risk patients or as destination therapy in non-surgical patients).Stents are used to create a conduit between the lumen of the gallbladder(GB)and the intestinal lumen through the gastric or enteric routes.Among the various types of stents used,cautery-enhanced lumen apposing metallic stents(LAMS)may be associated with fewer adverse events(AEs).AIM To compare the clinical success,technical success,and rate of AEs between transgastric(TG)and trans-enteric[transduodenal(TD)/transjejunal(TJ)]approach to GB drainage.Further,we analyzed whether using cautery enhanced stents during EUS-GBD impacts the above parameters.METHODS Study was registered in PROSPERO(CRD42022319019)and comprehensive literature review was conducted.Manuscripts were reviewed for the data collection:Rate of AEs,clinical success,and technical success.Random effects model was utilized for the analysis.RESULTS No statistically significant difference in clinical and technical success between the TD/TJ and TG approaches(P>0.05)were noted.There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of AEs when comparing two-arm studies only.However,when all studies were included in the analysis difference was almost significant favoring the TD/TJ approach.When comparing cautery-enhanced LAMS with non-cautery enhanced LAMS,a statistically significant difference in the rate of AEs was observed when all the studies were included,with the rate being higher in non-cautery enhanced stents(14.0%vs 37.8%;P<0.01).CONCLUSION As per our study results,TD/TJ approach appears to be associated with lower rate of adverse events and comparable efficacy when compared to the TG approach for the EUS-GBD.Additionally,use of cautery-enhanced LAMS for EUS-GBD is associated with a more favorable adverse event profile compared to cold LAMS.Though the approach chosen depends on several patient and physician factors,the above findings could help in deciding the ideal drainage route when both TG and TD/TJ approaches are feasible.

Effect of surgical timing on postoperative outcomes in patients with acute cholecystitis after delayed percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage

BACKGROUND To date,the optimal timing for percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage(PTGBD),particularly for patients who have missed the optimal window for emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)(within 72 hours of symptom onset)has not been determined.AIM To study the effects of LC timing on outcomes of grade II/III acute cholecystitis(AC)in patients with delayed PTGBD.METHODS Data of patients diagnosed with Tokyo Guidelines 2018 grade II or III AC who underwent delayed PTGBD followed by LC at a single hospital between 2018 and 2022 were retrospectively studied.According to the interval between gallbladder drainage and cholecystectomy,the patients were divided into early and delayed LC groups.Outcomes including surgery time,postoperative complications and hospital stay,and patient satisfaction were analyzed and compared between the two groups using t-andχ^(2) tests.RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two groups in intraoperative blood loss,postoperative abdominal drainage tube placement time,pain index,or total disease duration(all P>0.05).Compared with those of the early LC group,the delayed group showed significant decreases in the length of procedure(surgery time),conversion rate to open surgery,degree of adhesions,surgical complications,postoperative hospital stay,and total treatment costs,and increased patient satisfaction despite a longer interval before PTGBD(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION For patients with grade II/III AC with delayed PTGBD,LC should be performed 2 weeks after PTGBD to decrease postoperative complications and hospital stays and improve patient satisfaction.

Acute calculous cholecystitis associated with hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in a diabetic patient

Patients with acute calculous cholecystitis are usually undertaken surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy.However, there are controversies about the decision of operation for patients with high risk factors. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage （PTGD） is palliative therapy to alleviate symptoms and physical signs. Since improved clinical outcome has been observed for PTGD,

Lumen-apposing-metal stent misdeployment in endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainages:A systematic review focusing on issues and rescue management

BACKGROUND The introduction of lumen-apposing metal stents(LAMS)for endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-guided drainages has marked a turning point in the field of interventional ultrasound and it is gathering worldwide diffusion in different clinical settings.Nevertheless,the procedure may conceal unexpected pitfalls.LAMS misdeployment is the most frequent cause of technical failure and it can be considered a procedure-related adverse event when it hampers the conclusion of the planned procedure or results in significant clinical consequences.Stent misdeployment can be managed successfully by endoscopic rescue maneuvers to allow the completion of the procedure.To date,no standardized indication is available to guide an appropriate rescue strategy depending on the type of procedure or of misdeployment.AIM To evaluate the incidence of LAMS misdeployment during EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy(EUS-CDS),gallbladder drainage(EUS-GBD)and pancreatic fluid collections drainage(EUS-PFC)and to describe the endoscopic rescue strategies adopted under the circumstance.METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the literature on PubMed by searching for studies published up to October 2022.The search was carried out using the exploded medical subject heading terms“lumen apposing metal stent”,“LAMS”,“endoscopic ultrasound”and“choledochoduodenostomy”or“gallbladder”or“pancreatic fluid collections”.We included in the review on-label EUS-guided procedures namely EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD and EUS-PFC.Only those publications reporting EUS-guided LAMS positioning were considered.The studies reporting a technical success rate of 100%and other procedure-related adverse events were considered to calculate the overall rate of LAMS misdeployment,while studies not reporting the causes of technical failure were excluded.Case reports were considered only for the extraction of data regarding the issues of misdeployment and rescue techniques.The following data were collected from each study:Author,year of publication,study design,study population,clinical indication,technical success,reported number of misdeployment,stent type and size,flange misdeployed and type of rescue strategy.RESULTS The overall technical success rate of EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD and EUS-PFC was 93.7%,96.1%,and 98.1%respectively.Significant rates of LAMS misdeployment have been reported for EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD and EUS-PFC drainage,respectively 5.8%,3.4%,and 2.0%.Endoscopic rescue treatment was feasible in 86.8%,80%,and 96.8%of cases.Non endoscopic rescue strategies were required only in 10.3%,16%and 3.2%for EUS-CDS,EUS-GBD,and EUS-PFC.The endoscopic rescue techniques described were over-the-wire deployment of a new stent through the created fistula tract in 44.1%,8%and 64.5%and stent-in-stent in 23.5%,60%,and 12.9%,respectively for EUSCDS,EUS-GBD,and EUS-PFC.Further therapeutic option were endoscopic rendezvous in 11.8%of EUS-CDS and repeated procedure of EUS-guided drainage in 16.1%of EUS-PFC.CONCLUSION LAMS misdeployment is a relatively common adverse event in EUS-guided drainages.There is no consensus on the best rescue approach in these cases and the choice is often made by the endoscopist relying upon the clinical scenario,anatomical characteristics,and local expertise.In this review,we investigated the misdeployment of LAMS for each of the on-label indications focusing on the rescue therapies used,with the aim of providing useful data for endoscopists and to improve patient outcomes.

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.

Gallbladder biliary lithotripsy:A new rationale applied to old treatment

Pure endoscopic treatment of combined cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis is possible due to the chance to use together both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)and endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)approaches.This endotherapy permits to treat biliary stones in the main bile duct by standard ERCP and gallbladder stones by EUS-guided cholecystoduodenostomy eventually associated to intracorporeal lithotripsy to achieve optimal results.

Impact of B-mode-ultrasound-guided transhepatic and transperitoneal cholecystostomy tube placement on laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND B-mode-ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy(PC)may be performed by a transhepatic or transperitoneal approach,called percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage(PHGD)and percutaneous transperitoneal gallbladder drainage(PPGD),respectively.We compared the impact of PC related to the route of catheter placement on subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC).AIM To compare the impact of PC related to the route of catheter placement on subsequent LC.METHODS We retrospectively studied 103 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis who underwent scheduled LC after PC between January 2010 and January 2019.Group I included 58 patients who underwent scheduled LC after PHGD.Group II included 45 patients who underwent scheduled LC after PPGD.Clinical outcomes were analyzed according to each group.RESULTS Baseline demographic characteristics did not differ significantly between both groups(P>0.05).Both PHGD and PPGD were able to quickly resolve cholecystitis sepsis.Group I showed significantly higher efficacy than group II in terms of lower pain score during puncture(3.1 vs 4.5;P=0.001)and at 12 h follow-up(1.5 vs 2.2;P=0.001),lower rate of fever within 24 h after PC(13.8%vs 42.2%;P=0.001),shorted operation duration(118.3 vs 139.6 min;P=0.001),lower amount of intraoperative bleeding(72.1 vs 109.4 mL;P=0.001)and shorter length of hospital stay(14.3 d vs 18.0 d;P=0.001).However,group II had significantly lower rate of local bleeding at the PC site(2.2%vs 20.7%;P=0.005)and lower rate of severe adhesion(33.5%vs 55.2%;P=0.048).No significant differences were noted between both groups regarding the conversion rate to laparotomy,rate of subtotal cholecystectomy,complications and pathology.CONCLUSION B-mode-ultrasound-guided PHGD is superior to PPGD followed by LC for treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis,with shorter operating time,minimal amount of intraoperative bleeding and short length of hospital stay.

Alternative uses of lumen apposing metal stents

The advent of lumen apposing metal stents(LAMS)has revolutionized the management of many complex gastroenterological conditions that previously required surgical or radiological interventions.These procedures have garnered popularity due to their minimally invasive nature,higher technical and clinical success rate and lower rate of adverse events.By virtue of their unique design,LAMS provide more efficient drainage,serve as conduit for endoscopic access,are associated with lower rates of leakage and are easy to be removed.Initially used for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections,the use of LAMS has been extended to gallbladder and biliary drainage,treatment of luminal strictures,creation of gastrointestinal fistulae,pancreaticobiliary drainage,improved access for surgically altered anatomy,and drainage of intra-abdominal and pelvic abscesses as well as post-surgical fluid collections.As new indications of endosonographic techniques and LAMS continue to evolve,this review summarizes the current role of LAMS in the management of these various complex conditions and also highlights clinical pearls to guide successful placement of LAMS.

Feasibility of therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound in the bridge-to-surgery scenario:The example of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Upfront resection is becoming a rarer indication for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma,as biologic behavior and natural history of the disease has boosted indications for neoadjuvant treatments.Jaundice,gastric outlet obstruction and acute cholecystitis can frequently complicate this window of opportunity,resulting in potentially deleterious chemotherapy discontinuation,whose resumption relies on effective,prompt and long-lasting management of these complications.Although therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound(t-EUS)can potentially offer some advantages over comparators,its use in potentially resectable patients is primal and has unfairly been restricted for fear of potential technical difficulties during subsequent surgery.This is a narrative review of available evidence regarding EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy,gastrojejunostomy and gallbladder drainage in the bridge-to-surgery scenario.Proof-ofconcept evidence suggests no influence of t-EUS procedures on outcomes of eventual subsequent surgery.Moreover,the very high efficacy-invasiveness ratio over comparators in managing pancreatic cancer-related symptoms or complications can provide a powerful weapon against chemotherapy discontinuation,potentially resulting in higher subsequent resectability.Available evidence is discussed in this short paper,together with technical notes that might be useful for endoscopists and surgeons operating in this scenario.No published evidence supports restricting t-EUS in potential surgical candidates,especially in the setting of pancreatic cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Bridge-to-surgery tEUS deserves further prospective evaluation.