To the Editor:Biliary stricture formation at the bilioenteric anastomosis is an infrequent complication(2%-3%)after pancreaticoduodenectomy;the average presentation is within 13-14 months(range from 1 month to 9 years)after surgery[1,2].While the etiology is unknown,development of biliary stricture has shown to be more likely if a bile leak occurs in the postoperative period[3,4]and with younger patients[5].
Background: Endoscopic treatment of biliopancreatic pathology is challenging due to surgically altered anatomy after Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(SBE-ERCP) to treat biliopancreatic pathology in patients with Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy surgical variants. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 106 SBE-ERCP procedures in 46 patients with Whipple's variants. Technical and clinical success rates and adverse events were evaluated. Results: Biliary SBE-ERCP was performed in 34 patients and pancreatic SBE-ERCP in 17, including 5 with both indications. From a total of 106 SBE-ERCP procedures, 76 were biliary indication with technical success rate of 68/76(90%) procedures and clinical success rate of 30/34(88%) patients. Mild adverse event rate was 8/76(11%), without serious adverse events. From a total of 106 SBE-ERCP procedures, 30 were pancreatic indication with technical success rate of 24/30(80%) procedures( P = 0.194 vs. biliary SBEERCP) and clinical success rate of 11/17(65%) patients( P = 0.016 vs. biliary SBE-ERCP). Mild adverse event rate was 6/30(20%)( P = 0.194 vs. biliary SBE-ERCP), without serious adverse events. After SBE-ERCP failure, endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage, percutaneous drainage and redo surgery were alternative therapeutic options. Conclusions: Biliopancreatic pathology after Whipple's pancreaticoduodenectomy variants can be treated using SBE-ERCP without serious adverse events. Technical and clinical success rates are high for biliary indications, whereas clinical success rate of pancreatic indications is significantly lower. SBE-ERCP can be considered as first-line treatment option in this patient group with surgically altered anatomy.
Rodrigo Garcés-DuránLaurent MoninoPierre H DeprezHubert PiessevauxTom G Moreels
BACKGROUND Currently,perioperative complications of classic Whipple surgery occur at a rate of approximately 40%.Common complications include delayed gastric emptying,pancreatic fistula,and bile leakage,whereas gastrojejunostomy(GJ)leakage is rare.CASE SUMMARY This case report will assess the management of a GJ leak in a 71-year-old male patient following the Whipple procedure.After surgery,the patient was trans-ferred to the clinic after four days of intensive care,where vacuum therapy was used to handle a developing subcutaneous collection.The patient,who had bile in the drains and incision during follow-up,underwent endoscopic examination on the 21st day after the operation.An opening of approximately 4 mm was observed in the GJ anastomosis during endoscopy.Five titanium clips were used to close the openings.The drainage of bile decreased to less than 50 mL on the first day after the procedure,and the patient's oral intake was opened.CONCLUSION Current literature reports a GJ leakage rate of 0.54%following Whipple surgery,with clinical findings lasting on average between 4-34 days.Surgery was the main form of therapy for this case,with a success rate of 84%,and percutaneous drai-nage was also utilized as a treatment option.This case report is the first to docu-ment endoscopic treatment of GJ leaks following the classic Whipple procedure.
