Comparison of efficacy and safety of transpancreatic septotomy, needle-knife fistulotomy or both based on biliary cannulation unintentional pancreatic access and papillary morphology

Background: Precut sphincterotomy has been widely performed to facilitate selective biliary access when standard cannulation attempts failed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP). However, scarce data are available on different precut techniques for difficult biliary cannulation. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of transpancreatic septotomy(TPS), needle-knife fistulotomy(NKF) or both based on the presence of unintentional pancreatic access and papillary morphology. Methods: Between March 2008 and December 2016, 157 consecutive patients undergoing precutting for an inaccessible bile duct during ERCP were identified. Precut techniques were chosen depending on repetitive inadvertent pancreatic cannulation and the papillary morphology. We retrospectively assessed the rates of cannulation success and procedure-related complications among three groups, namely TPS, NKF, and TPS followed by NKF. Results: The baseline characteristics of the three groups were comparable. The overall success rate of biliary cannulation reached 98.1%, including 111 of 113(98.2%) with TPS, 35 of 36(97.2%) with NKF and 8 of 8(100%) with NKF following TPS, without significant difference among groups. The incidences of total complications and post-ERCP pancreatitis were 9.6% and 7.6%, respectively. There was a trend towards less frequent post-ERCP pancreatitis after NKF(0%) compared with 11 cases(9.7%) after TPS and one case(12.5%) after NKF following TPS, but not significantly different( P = 0.07). No severe adverse event occurred during this study period. Conclusions: The choice of precut techniques by the presence of unintended pancreatic access and the papillary morphology brought about a high success rate without increasing risk in difficult biliary cannulation.

Precut sphincterotomy:A reliable salvage for difficult biliary cannulation

Even experienced endoscopists have 90% success in achieving deep biliary cannulation with standard methods. Biliary cannulation may become difficult in 10%-15% of patients with biliary obstruction and pre- cut (access) sphincterotomy is frequently chosen as a rescue treatment in these cases. Generally, precut sphincterotomy ensures a rate of 90%-100% success- ful deep biliary cannulation. The precut technique has been performed as either a fistulotomy with a needle knife sphincterotome or as a transpapillary septotomy with a standard sphincterotome. Both methods have similar efficacy and complication rates when adminis- tered to the proper patient. Although precut sphincter- otomy ensures over 90% success of biliary cannula- tion, it has been characterized as an independent risk factor for pancreatitis. The complications of the precut technique are not limited to pancreatitis. Two more important ones, bleeding and perforation, are also re- ported in some publications as being observed more commonly than during standard sphincterotomy. It is also reported that precut sphincterotomy increases morbidity when performed in patients without dilata- tion of their biliary tract. Nevertheless, precut sphinc- terotomy is a good alternative as a rescue method in the setting of a failed standard cannulation method. This paper discusses the technical details, timing, ef- ficacy and potential complications of precut sphincter- otomy.

Escalating complexity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography over the last decade with increasing reliance on advanced cannulation techniques

BACKGROUND At our academic tertiary care medical center, we have noted patients referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) who increasingly require advanced cannulation techniques. This trend is noted despite increased endoscopist experience and annual ERCP volume over the same period.AIM To evaluate this phenomenon of perceived escalation in complexity of cannulation at ERCP and assessed potential underlying factors.METHODS Demographic/clinical variables and records of ERCP patients at the beginning(2008), middle(2013) and end(2018) of the last decade were reviewed retrospectively. Cannulation approaches were classified as "standard" or "advanced" and duodenoscope position was labeled as "standard"(short position) or "non-standard"(e.g., long, semi-long).RESULTS Patients undergoing ERCP were older in 2018 compared to 2008(69.7 ± 15.2 years vs 55.1 ± 14.7, P < 0.05). Increased ampullary distortion and peri-ampullary diverticula were noted in 2018(P < 0.001). ERCPs were increasingly performed with a non-standard duodenoscope position, from 2.2%(2008) to 5.6%(2013) and 16.1%(2018)(P < 0.001). Utilization of more than one advanced cannulation technique for a given ERCP increased from 0.7%(2008) to 0.9%(2013) to 6.6%(2018)(P < 0.001). Primary mass size > 4 cm, pancreatic uncinate mass, and bilirubin > 10 mg/d L predicted use of advanced cannulation techniques(P < 0.03 for each).CONCLUSION Complexity of cannulation at ERCP has sharply increased over the past 5 years, with an increased proportion of elderly patients and those with malignancy requiring advanced cannulation approaches. These data suggest that complexity of cannulation at ERCP may be predicted based on patient/ampulla characteristics. This may inform selection of experienced, high-volume endoscopists to perform these complex procedures.

Novel technique for anastomotic salvage using transanal minimally invasive surgery:A case report

BACKGROUND Anastomotic leak(AL) after low anterior resection(LAR) can be a highly morbid complication.The incidence of AL ranges from 5% to 20% depending on patient characteristics and the distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge.Low anastomoses and leaks pose technical challenges for endoscopic treatment.The aim of this report was to describe the use of a commercially available laparoscopic energy device through a transanal minimally invasive surgery(TAMIS) port for the management of a symptomatic leak not requiring relaparotomy(grade B) after a LAR with diverting loop ileostomy.CASE SUMMARY A TAMIS GelPOINT Path port was inserted into the anus to access the distal rectum.Pneumorectum was achieved with AirSeal insufflation and a 30 degree laparoscope was introduced through a trocar.A LigaSure TM Retractable L-Hook device was then used to perform a septotomy of the chronic sinus tract identified posterior to the coloproctostomy.The procedure was then repeated twice in three weeks intervals with ultimate resolution of the chronic leak cavity.Several months after serial TAMIS septotomies,barium enema demonstrated a patent anastomosis with no evidence of persistent leak or stricture.The patient subsequently underwent ileostomy reversal and has had no significant postoperative issues.CONCLUSION TAMIS septotomy with the LigaSure TM Retractable L-Hook is a feasible andeffective,minimally invasive salvage technique for the treatment of grade B ALs.Larger studies are needed to assess the generalizability and long-term results of this technique.