Can wire-guided cannulation prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis? A prospective randomized trial.

Background: Among the procedure-related factors associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis, selective cannulation of the common bile duct by insertion of a guidewire may be associated with fewer complications than conventional methods of cannulation with contrast injection to access the bile duct. However, the results of studies regarding the usefulness of wire-guided cannulation (WGC) are conflicting.

Objective: This prospective randomized trial was designed to determine whether WGC reduces the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Design: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Tertiary-care academic medical center.

Patients: A total of 300 consecutive patients with native papilla and pancreaticobiliary disease who were candidates for therapeutic ERCP were randomized from June 2006 to May 2007.

Interventions: WGC without contrast injection or conventional cannulation with contrast injection.

Main Outcome Measurements: Post-ERCP pancreatitis, risk factors, and procedure-related complications were evaluated prospectively.

Results: A total of 3 patients (2%) in the WGC group and 17 patients (11.3%) in the conventional group had post-ERCP pancreatitis (P = .001). Among the cases of acute pancreatitis in the WGC group, 2 patients with suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) and unintentional main pancreatic duct (PD) guidewire cannulation showed post-ERCP pancreatitis despite the use of WGC. In multivariate analysis, WGC was a protective factor (odds ratio 0.1; 95% CI, 0.024-0.490, P = .004), whereas female sex and SOD were risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Limitation: Our study population was a low-risk cohort.

Conclusions: WGC is associated with a lower rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis. However, WGC may not prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with suspected SOD and unintentional PD guidewire cannulation.