Re-intervention Utility After Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy Using a Partially Covered Stent with Anchoring Flange.

Background And Aim: Although long self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) with a sufficient intragastric portion is typically preferred for endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS), this design can complicate endoscopic re-intervention for recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of endoscopic re-intervention for RBO through the stent after EUS-HGS using a novel partially covered SEMS with an anchoring flange.

Methods: The partially covered SEMS was designed with a intrahepatic uncovered portion measuring 1.5 cm in length and a resilient fold-back wide distal anchoring flange with a 2.0 cm diameter. Re-interventions were performed through the stent lumen while the stent was in situ. The primary outcomes were technical and clinical success, and secondary outcomes were procedure time, adverse events, and the median time to RBO after re-intervention.

Results: In total, 35 re-interventions were performed in 19 patients. Re-intervention was successfully conducted in 97.1% (34/35) of cases via the intragastric end of the stent in a retroflexed position. Technical and clinical success were 94.3% (33/35) and 88.6% (31/35). Re-intervention methods included stent cleaning (18.2%), additional HGS stent placement (33.3%), and antegrade stent placement (48.5%). Mild cholangitis occurred in 5.7% (2/35) of patients and was managed conservatively. The median time to RBO after re-intervention was 148 days.

Conclusion: Endoscopic re-interventions can be effectively and safely performed through the lumen of the novel partially covered SEMS with an anchoring flange.