Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography treatment for biliary dilatation in pediatric patients: a retrospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND

The main treatments for biliary dilatation (BD) are surgical resection and choledochojejunostomy. However, various factors lead to the postponement of early surgical intervention in pediatric BD patients. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness and limitations of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in BD pediatric patients.

METHODS

Data on patients with BD treated at two centers from June 2018 to June 2022 were retrospectively collected. Patients were categorized into five groups according to Todani classification. Clinical features, ERCP processes, ERCP-related complications, ERCP effectiveness and its limitations were reviewed.

RESULTS

A cohort of 77 symptomatic BD patients was evaluated, with pancreaticobiliary malformation (PBM) identified in 68.8% of cases. These patients underwent 142 hospitalizations, including 96 involving ERCP and 46 without ERCP. ERCP was performed in 74.0% (57/77) of BD patients, with a median follow-up of 26 months (range: 2-48 months), achieving an effectiveness rate of 75.4%. ERCP-related complications included post-ERCP pancreatitis (20.8%), postoperative infections (6.3%), and bleeding (2.1%). All complications were mild and managed conservatively. Further stratified analysis revealed that patients under 36 months of age at onset (P = 0.001) and those with elevated liver enzymes (P = 0.049) did not respond well to ERCP. The proportion of jaundice (P = 0.006) and biliary obstruction (P = 0.013) was significantly higher in the group with an onset age of ≤ 36 months compared to the group with an onset age > 36 months.

CONCLUSIONS

ERCP is suitable for BD pediatric patients with mild and acceptable complications. Careful consideration is required when deciding to perform the procedure, as therapeutic outcomes are limited in patients with an onset age under 36 months.