Introduction

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a high-risk procedure. There are multiple clinical guidelines yet practice varies. As part of an on-going BSG Endoscopy Quality Improvement Programme, we aim to describe current ERCP practice in the UK and benchmark this against published guidelines.

Aims & Methods

An anonymised survey link was emailed to all independent ERCP practitioners in the UK and a further survey was sent to all organisations in the UK in which ERCP is carried out. Multiple reminders and individual contacts were used to maximise response rate. Clinical questions covering a range of scenarios were aligned with published guidelines and quality standards including the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Results

171 organisations providing ERCP were identified with a 100% response rate. 491 ERCP practitioners were identified with 78% (n= 386) response rate. In patients with an intermediate likelihood of common bile duct stones (CBDS), 9% of responders would proceed directly to ERCP, 76% would request MRCP or EUS first and 11% would arrange same session EUS +/- ERCP. In patients with normal anatomy and large or difficult to extract stones, 68% would perform sphincterotomy followed by sphincteroplasty and further attempts at duct clearance at the index procedure. After two or more inadvertent guidewire into the pancreatic duct (PD), 25% of individual practitioners always and 51% usually place a PD stent, whereas 19% rarely and 5% never do. In 10% of organisations standard practice is usually not to insert a PD stent.
NICE quality standard in the management of gallstone disease (QS104) stipulate that adults with CBDS causing jaundice have ERCP within 72 hours of diagnosis; 86% of organisations are compliant with this all or most of the time. In patients who need emergency ERCP for CBDS, 66% of organisations are compliant all or most of the time with having an ERCP within 24 hours (QS104).
In 29% of organisations, access to same-day ERCP 5 days a week was not available all/ most of the time. Out of hours ERCP (1800-0800) was not available all or most of the time in 63%, and over weekends it was not available all or most of the time in 59%.ERCP was available out of hours within the hospital in 33% of organisations during weekdays and 36% over the weekends as an unpaid, ad-hoc or goodwill arrangement.
In 26% of organisations there is regular weekly access to a deep sedation / general anaesthetic (DS/GA) list and 60% have access to a DS/GA list on an ad hoc basis or through referral to a different hospital. 55% of ERCPists were aware of the quality of therapeutic intent of any ERCP procedure being affected by suboptimal patient tolerance with endoscopist administered conscious sedation in the past month and 62% would prefer to perform all ERCPs under DS/ GA.

Conclusion

Despite clear guidance, variation in the management of CBDS and placement of pancreatic stents persists. Access to out-of-hours and weekend ERCP is sparse in the UK, and there is a reliance on goodwill to facilitate these cases. The availability of DS/GA is limited and there is a clear desire for improved access to optimise patient tolerance and ERCP outcomes.

Disclosure

Nothing to disclose

Introduction

Non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Several approaches are available for primary endoscopic treatment. The standard endoscopic approach uses contact thermal methods or hemoclips with or without pre-injection of diluted epinephrine. A newer alternative is the use of an over-the-scope clip (OTSC).

Aims & Methods

The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of these two modalities in the treatment of non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding.
Methods: PubMed, EMBASSE and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for multicentre randomised controlled trials comparing the efficacy of OTSC with standard endoscopic procedures for the primary treatment of non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding published up to January 2024. The primary outcome measure was the 7-day re-bleeding rate. We also assessed the presence of persistent bleeding, 30-day rebleeding rate, length of hospital stay and mortality. A systematic review and network meta-analysis was performed for both treatments.

Results

Four trials met the inclusion criteria and were included. Regarding the 7-day rebleeding rate, OTSC showed superior efficacy compared to standard endoscopic therapy in the treatment of non-variceal gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.29, 95%CI 0.14-0.62). OTSC was also superior to standard endoscopic therapy in terms of re-bleeding within 30 days (RR 0.43, 95%CI 0.24-0.78). In terms of failure to achieve primary haemostasis, results were similar between the two methods, with a trend in favour of OTSC (RR 0.37, 95%CI 0.37-1.02). Finally, no differences were found in mortality (RR 0.61, 95%CI 0.25-1.51) and length of hospital stay (SMD -0.01, 95%CI -0.20-0.17).

Conclusion

OTSC significantly reduced the 7-day and 30-day re-bleeding rate compared to standard endoscopic therapy. There were no differences in mortality and length of hospital stay.

Disclosure

Julio Iglesias-Garcia: Advisor Fuji

Introduction

Evaluate the predictive factors of failure rate of clearing the biliary system from stones at the initial ERCP.

Aims & Methods

This is a retrospective descriptive and analytical study from September 2004 to September 2023.
All patients with bile duct stones, who underwent ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction by standard techniques (extraction balloon or Dormia basket) were included in this study.

Results

A total of 1080 ERCPs were performed to extract biliary duct stones .

The mean age was 58.9 +/- 14.4 years and 59.5% were females.
The mean diameter ofthe Bile duct was 13.4+/- 4.31 mm. The presence of a biliary stricture in 6.3%.
The primary vacuity rate was 75.1%. Supplementary techniques were used in 22.7% of cases.
On univariate analysis, the predictive factors for failure after use of standard techniques were: age(OR: 0.9;CI95%:-0.03- -0.01;p<0.001); gender(OR:0.7;CI95%:-0.5--0.02;p=0.036); previous cholecystectomy (OR:1.3,CI95%:0.02-0.6;p=0.035);presence of angiocholitis(OR: 0.4; CI95%:-1.1- -0.4;p<0.001); dilatation of the CBD >15mm (OR:0,8,CI95%:-0.2-0.1;p<0.001), biliary stricture (OR:0.3;CI95%:-1.7--0.7;p<0.001) and the presence of impacted and/or large stone (OR:0.1;CI95%:-2--1;p<0.001).
On multivariateanalysis, only the presence of angiocholitis (OR:1.9;CI95%: 0.2-1;p=0.001),impacted and/or large stone (OR:2.5;CI95%:0.5-1.3;p<0.001), dilatation ofthe CBD >15mm (OR:0.88;CI95%:-0.17- -0.07;p<0.001), and biliary stricture(OR:2.9;CI95%:0.4-1.7;p=0.002) were significantly associated with failure ofthe primary CBD vacuity rate.
The overall vacuity rate after using the supplementary techniques was 92.4%.

Conclusion

In our study, predictivefactors for failure of the primary CBD vacuity rate were the presence ofangiocholitis, impacted and/or large stone, dilatation of the CBD (>15mm)and biliary stricture.

Introduction

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is now the gold standard for the treatment of bile duct stones. However, recurrence stones is frequent after their complete removal by endoscopic treatment.

Aims & Methods

The present study is retrospective, descriptive and analytic, including all patients who underwent ERCP for common bile duct (CBD) stones between January 2008 and January 2024.
Recurrent CBD stone was defined as the finding of a stone at least 6 months after the initial ERCP in which complete stone extraction was performed.
Factors associated with recurrent CBD stones were studied by logistic regression analysis.
Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi software.
The aim of our study is to identify predictors of recurrent CBD stones after ERCP.

Results

Among 1151 patients who underwent ERCP for lithiasis pathology, 88 patients or 7.7% had recurrent CBD stone.
Mean age of the patients was 64.5 +/-13.4 years, with extremes ranging from 22 to 94 years. Sex ratio (M/F) was 0.69, with a female predominance of 59.1%.
20.5% of patients presented with acute angiocholitis and 6.8% with acute pancreatitis.
A periampullary diverticulum was found in 5.7% of patients (n=5).
In univariate analysis, the risk factors for recurrent CBD stone were: older age (OR :37; IC95% : [10,7- 127,2] ; p<0,001), female gender ( OR :9,9 ;IC95% : [4,49-22,04] ; p<0,001), CBD diameter > 15 mm (OR : 7,36 ;IC95% : [5,51-9,8] ; p<0,001), presence of angiocholitis ( OR : 2.06 ;IC95% : [1,12-3,8] ; p=0,02), number of CBD stones (OR :8,61; IC95% : [6,51-11,39] ; p=0,018), size of CBD stones (OR :2,51 ;IC95% : [1,43-4,39] ; p=0,001), while enlargement EST (OR :0,18; IC95% : [0,08-0,44] ; p<0,001) was a protective factor.
After multivariate analysis, and adjusting for the factors studied, only older age (OR:1.96; CI95%: [1.94-2.93]; p=0.001), number of CBD stones (OR: 1.99; CI95%: [1,2-3,4] ; p=0,037) and size of CBD stones (OR :4,06; IC95% : [3,51-6,72] ; p=0,003) were risk factors, and enlargement EST (OR :0,31; IC95% : [0,11-0,85] ; p=0,024) was protective factor.

Conclusion

In our study, the predictive factors for recurrent CBD stones were advanced age, the presence of impaction and a large stone.

Introduction

Pancreatic duct (PD) stones frequently occur in chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) and are a main factor contributing to pain onset and exacerbation as well as impaired quality of life (QOL). In these patients endoscopic intervention with removal of obstructing pancreatic duct (PD) calculi and regaining pancreatic duct drainage should be performed. In this regard, digital single operator video pancreatoscopy (d-SOVP) is still under investigation for the treatment of PD stones but seems to be an emerging alternative to standard endoscopic procedures with reported success rates between 43%-100%, based on small retrospective studies. However, while reported short term success rates seem very promising, there is still poor evidence for long-term clinical success and benefit for patients` quality of life.

Aims & Methods

Aims: To investigate the role of d-SOVP guided PD-stone lithotripsy in patients with CCP on clinical success and QOL in a long-term follow-up (FU).
Methods: Patients with CCP undergoing d-SOVP (SpyGlass DS) guided lithotripsy of PD stones with initial technical and clinical success were recruited in this retrospective analysis. Persistence of technical success (ductal clearance) and clinical success (defined as pain reduction >50 % in numerical rating scale (NRS)) as well as postinterventional QOL were evaluated by database analysis and a systematic questionnaire (based on SF-12) regarding pain intensity and incidence, painkiller intake and impact on QOL every 6 months obtained in the respective outpatient clinic. Data are presented as mean±SD.

Results

A total of 32 patients was evaluated during long-term FU of 40.8±8.3 months (range 32 – 57 months). 81% of patients (26/32) reported a significant and lasting decrease in pain and symptom burden with mean decrease of NRS from 6.1±0.55 (preinterventionally) to 1.6±0.35 at last reported visit of FU, p<0.01. In 4 patients (12.5%) subsequent pancreatic duct stenting was required due to persistent PD strictures, no recurrent intraductal stones were observed. 3 patients (9.4%) reported persistent pain, with 2 of these being eligible for partial pancreatectomy. QOL criteria significantly improved in 81% of patients defined by major improvements of their general health status and everyday life performance. Two patients were lost to follow-up, 3 patients (9.4%) died during follow up.

Conclusion

D-SOVP guided lithotripsy is safe and effective, achieving high rates of initial technical and clinical success rates as defined by complete ductal clearance and QOL. Beneficial effects on symptom control and QOL persist in the majority of CCP patients after approximately 41 months of FU. Therefore, we suggest d-SOVP to become the intervention of choice in these complex patients. Nevertheless, further prospective trials are warranted to prove these results.

Disclosure

Mark Ellrichmann, Horst Neuhaus, Torsten Beyna and Christian Gerges received lecture from Boston Scientific.

Introduction

To evaluate the utility of the unroofing technique in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (SETs), we performed a multicenter retrospective study.

Aims & Methods

This study was conducted in 10 hospitals and involved all eligible patients who underwent unroofing techniques to gain biopsy for gastrointestinal SETs between April 2015 and March 2021. The primary endpoint was the rate of correct diagnosis with the unroofing technique, and the secondary endpoints were the incidence of adverse events and the factors contributing to the correct diagnosis.

Results

The study included 61 patients with 61 gastrointestinal SETs, a median tumor size of 20 mm, and a median procedure time of 38 minutes with 82% successful tumor exposure. The rate of tissue acquisition was 98.4%, and the rate of pathological diagnosis was 72.1%. In 44 cases with a pathological diagnosis, two showed discrepancies with the postresection pathological diagnosis. No factors, including facility experience, organ, tumor size, or tumor exposure, significantly affected the correct diagnosis. No significant differences in the correct diagnosis rate were observed between less than ten experiences and more than ten experiences (74.1 vs. 70.6%). The correct diagnosis rates for tumors <20 mm and ≥20 mm were 76.9% and 65.7%, respectively. There was one case of delayed bleeding and two cases of perforations.

Conclusion

The diagnostic yield of the unroofing technique was acceptable. The unroofing technique was beneficial regardless of institutional experience, organ, tumor size, or actual tumor exposure.