Single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y anastomosis (with video).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE)-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy (B-II) or Roux-en-Y anastomosis (R-Y).

METHODS: Thirteen SBE procedures were performed in 2 patients with B-II and 11 patients with R-Y at Tokyo Medical University Hospital. SBE was replaced with a conventional forward-viewing upper endoscope after reaching the papilla. This is a retrospective cohort study.

RESULTS: In all cases but one (92.3%, 12/13), the papilla or anastomotic site could be reached with the SBE. The rate for B-II and R-Y were 100% (2/2) and 90.9% (10/11), respectively. The mean time required to reach the papilla or anastomotic site was 33.3 min (range, 5-86 min). In cases of R-Y, the mean time required to reach the papilla or anastomotic site was 35.5 min (range, 12-76 min). The overall success rate of the therapeutic ERCP on the first session was 76.9% (10/13). In patients with an intact papilla, the success rate on the first session was 72.3% (8/11). With regard to the type of surgery, the success rate of the procedure in patients with B-II and R-Y was 100% (2/2) and 72.3% (8/11), respectively. The mean procedural time for 10 successful groups on the first session was 66.4 min (range, 25-152 min). No adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: SBE-assisted ERCP using an overtube-assisted technique appears to be promising for performing therapeutic ERCP in patients with B-II or R-Y.