Background: There are few reports of endoscopic choledochoduodenal fistulotomy (endoscopic fistulotomy) in patients with papillary carcinoma by using a needle-knife.
Methods: Among 35 patients with papillary carcinoma requiring biliary drainage, 14 with a suprapapillary bulge underwent endoscopic fistulotomy alone or with widening of the fistula by using a standard sphincterotome or dilation balloon catheter.
Observations: Transfistula bile duct cannulation was successful on the first attempt in 13 of 14 patients (93%) and temporary biliary drainage through the fistula was successfully established in all 13 patients. The single complication was minor bleeding (7%) in 1 patient. In 6 patients with biliary obstruction who were not operative candidates, endoscopic fistulotomy was used for palliation, and all remained asymptomatic for a mean period of 3.2 months.
Conclusions: Endoscopic fistulotomy is an effective, relatively safe biliary drainage procedure. It should be considered in selected patients with bile duct obstruction caused by papillary carcinoma and a suprapapillary bulge caused by the dilated bile duct.