Biliary access in technically difficult biliary cannulation: the mucosal bridge technique.
BACKGROUND
The use of precut sphincterotomy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) facilitates selective bile duct access in difficult procedures. However, it is also associated with high rates of complications. Several techniques for precut sphincterotomy have been described in the literature. This paper reports our experience with a non-needle-knife technique for precut sphincterotomy, namely, the mucosal bridge technique.


METHODS
We analysed the experience of a single surgical endoscopist at our centre in performing precut sphincterotomies by retrospectively examining information in the database for January 2002 to February 2008, which had been stored prospectively using Endoscribe.


RESULTS
The mucosal bridge technique was performed in 16 (3.19%) of 501 patients. Success rates were 75% and 100% after first and second ERCPs, respectively. The failure of initial procedures was caused by bleeding, tissue oedema, poorly visualized papilla or a poorly distensible duodenum and oedematous papilla. There were four cases of complications, which included periductular extravasation of contrast, bleeding, and sepsis in two patients. However, these complications were not a direct consequence of the precut sphincterotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
The mucosal bridge technique can be used to increase the likelihood of successful bile duct cannulation, thus preventing the need for a second intervention.
Thomas
Rebecca
R
HPB Surgery Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia. beccathom@yahoo.com
Shah
Suhaila Rizal
SR
Worthley
Christopher S
CS