Predictors of success for double balloon-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with roux-en-Y anastomosis (REYA) is challenging. Use of double balloon enteroscope-assisted ERCP (DBE-ERCP) has been successful. We aim to determine predictors of successful biliary cannulation with DBE-ERCP in patients with REYA.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied patients with REYA who had DBE-ERCP between 2009 and 2015.

RESULTS

86 DBE-ERCP were done on 52 patients. Patients had REYA for liver transplant (n = 26), gastrojejunostomy (n = 9), previous bile duct injury (n = 9), biliary atresia (n = 2) and other (n = 6). The biliary-enteric anastomosis was reached in 76% and cholangiogram was successful in 70%. Highest success rates were in patients with previous bile duct injury (94%) or gastrojejunostomy (89%). Post-transplant patients had intermediate success (64%). Patients with redo surgery (46%) and childhood surgery (38%), especially Kasai procedure (20%), had low success. Patients with previous bile duct injury were more likely to succeed (94% vs 63%, P = 0.010). Those more likely to fail were patients with childhood surgery (38% vs 73%, P = 0.037), biliary atresia (20% vs 73%, P = 0.013) and second operation post-transplant (25% vs 70%, P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Indication for REYA impacts on successful biliary cannulation in patients undergoing DBE-ERCP. The procedure is most successful in non-liver transplant adult surgery and post-transplant patients without a second operation. It is least successful in patients with surgically corrected biliary atresia and post-transplant patients with second operation. Alternative methods of biliary access should be considered in these patients.