Evaluating the yield of digital single operator cholangioscopy in posttransplant biliary strictures after unsuccessful guidewire placement with ERCP

Abstract

Background and aims: Strictures are the most common biliary complication after liver transplantation, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered the gold standard in its management. Failure to cross the biliary anastomosis requires a repeated attempt with ERCP, referral for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) or surgery. We present our experience with the digital single operator cholangioscope (D-SOC) in achieving guidewire access in a liver transplant cohort with difficult biliary strictures who have failed conventional ERCP methods.

Methods: This was a retrospective study involving two adult liver transplant centers servicing the two most populated states in Australia. Deceased-donor liver transplant recipients undergoing D-SOC for biliary strictures who have failed conventional methods to achieve biliary access were included.

Results: Between July 2017 to April 2022, eighteen patients underwent D-SOC after failing to achieve guidewire placement through standard ERCP techniques. Thirteen out of eighteen (72%) had successful guidewire placement with index D-SOC. Five of eighteen patients (28%) had unsuccessful guidewire placement with D-SOC. In two of these patients, use of D-SOC informed further endoscopic management, with one avoiding PTC and the other avoiding surgery. Two of the five patients required PTC and one patient was left unstented. Three patients developed post D-SOC cholangitis.

Conclusions: D-SOC is effective at achieving guidewire access in post-liver transplant patients who fail conventional ERCP techniques and should be considered in the treatment algorithm as a step before PTC and surgery.

Keywords: biliary stricture; cholangioscopy; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; liver; percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography; spyglass; transplant.