Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage: rendezvous technique.
The success rate of deep biliary cannulation is high but still not perfect in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), even with aggressive techniques. With the development of linear-array echoendoscopes, the endoscopic ultrasonography-guided rendezvous technique (EUS-RV) has recently emerged as a salvage method for failed biliary cannulation. This review of current literature establishes that EUS-RV is a feasible and safe technique and should be considered as an alternative to percutaneous or surgical approaches. The availability of a percutaneous salvage (if EUS-RV fails) and well-trained endoscopists for both ERCP and EUS are mandatory in minimizing the potential complications of this procedure.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, H.H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, University of California, Irvine Medical Center, 101 The City Drive, Building 22C, First Floor, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
Takuji
T
Iwashita
John G
JG
Lee
D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods*; D003135:Common Bile Duct; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D019160:Endosonography / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*