Background: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been the cornerstone in the management of malignant jaundice to provide symptomatic relief and/or to allow chemotherapy. Difficult biliary cannulation or the presence of concomitant duodenal obstruction may lead to its failure.
Method: An extensive English literature search was done via PubMed and Google Scholar to identify 13 peer-reviewed original articles.
Results: Of 92 patients, 98.9% (91/92) successfully underwent EUS-guided biliary drainage by placement of a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) across extrahepatic biliary tree and small bowel. Although technically challenging, a similar technical success was noted for patients with limited dilation of extrahepatic biliary tree (less than 1 cm) and altered gastrointestinal anatomy (Roux-en-Y, Whipple, or Billroth II). Of 91 patients, 98.9% (90/91) had clinical success. Procedure complications included perforation (2/92; 2.2%) and bleeding (1/92; 1.1%). Stent complications included obstruction (7/91; 7.7%), and migration (1/91; 1.1%) with all responding to endoscopic debridement of food or tumor, placement of plastic pigtail stent through the LAMS, or replacement with a new stent. No procedure-related mortality was noted.
Conclusion: In the hands of an expert, EUS-guided biliary drainage with the use of LAMS is an efficacious and safe option for patients with distal malignant biliary stricture, not amenable to ERCP.
Keywords: Bile drainage; Endoscopic ultrasound; Lumen apposing metal stent; Obstructive jaundice.
© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.