Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage with placement of a fully covered metal stent for malignant biliary obstruction

AIM:To determine the utility of endoscopic ultrasoundguided biliary drainage(EUS-BD)with a fully covered self-expandable metal stent for managing malignant biliary stricture. METHODS:We collected data from 13 patients who presented with malignant biliary obstruction and underwent EUS-BD with a nitinol fully covered selfexpandable metal stent when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)fails.EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy(EUS-CD)and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy(EUS-HG)was performed in 9 patients and 4 patients,respectively. RESULTS:The technical and functional success rate was 92.3%(12/13)and 91.7%(11/12),respectively. Using an intrahepatic approach(EUS-HG,n=4),there was mild peritonitis(n=1)and migration of the metal stent to the stomach(n=1).With an extrahepatic approach(EUS-CD,n=10),there was pneumoperitoneum(n=2),migration(n=2),and mild peritonitis (n=1).All patients were managed conservatively with antibiotics.During follow-up(range,1-12 mo),there was re-intervention(4/13 cases,30.7%)necessitated by stent migration(n=2)and stent occlusion(n=2). CONCLUSION:EUS-BD with a nitinol fully covered self-expandable metal stent may be a feasible and effective treatment option in patients with malignant biliary obstruction when ERCP fails.