Usefulness of a novel sphincterotome for transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy to achieve selective biliary cannulation in patients with Roux-en-Y gastrectomy

Selective biliary cannulation in patients with Roux-en-Y gastrectomy is considered technically difficult [1] [2]. In cases where a guidewire is inserted into the pancreatic duct, transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy is considered an effective method of achieving biliary cannulation [3]. Herein, we report a case of successful selective biliary cannulation via transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy using a novel sphincterotome in a patient with Roux-en-Y gastrectomy.

A 78-year-old man with choledocholithiasis was referred to our facility. The patient previously underwent a Roux-en-Y gastrectomy. Computed tomography revealed stones in the common bile duct. Therefore, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed using a short-type single-balloon enteroscope (SIF-H290; Olympus Marketing, Tokyo, Japan), with a working length of 152 cm and a working channel diameter of 3.2 mm [4] ([Video 1]). After reaching the papilla, selective biliary cannulation was attempted. However, only pancreatic duct cannulation was achieved ([Fig. 1]). As the pancreatic guidewire-assisted biliary cannulation was unsuccessful, transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy was performed using a novel sphincterotome (CleverCut3V; KD-V410V-0720; Olympus Marketing). This device is dedicated to patients with surgically altered anatomy, such as in cases of Roux-en-Y gastrectomy ([Fig. 2]) [5]. As the blade was easily adjusted from the 5 to the 6 o’clock position, an ideal incision for transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy was achieved ([Fig. 3]). The bile duct orifice was clearly observed at the incision site and selective biliary cannulation was easily achieved ([Fig. 4]). Subsequently, endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed using the sphincterotome, followed by complete stone extraction ([Fig. 5]).

Video 1 Successful selective biliary cannulation via transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy using a novel sphincterotome in a patient with Roux-en-Y gastrectomy.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic (a, c) and fluoroscopic (b, d) findings. a, b The single-balloon enteroscope reached the papilla. c, d Pancreatic duct cannulation was achieved.

Fig. 2 The novel sphincterotome (CleverCut3V; KD-V410V-0720; Olympus Marketing, Tokyo, Japan), with a working length of 240 cm for balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with surgically altered anatomy.

Fig. 3 Endoscopic findings. As the blade was easily adjusted from the 5 to the 6 o’clock position, an ideal incision for transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy could be achieved.

Fig. 4 Endoscopic (a–c) and fluoroscopic (d) findings. The bile duct orifice (red arrow) was clearly observed at the incision site and selective biliary cannulation was easily achieved.

Fig. 5 Endoscopic findings. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed using the sphincterotome, followed by complete stone extraction.

This novel sphincterotome could overcome the difficulty of adjusting the incision direction for sphincterotomy in patients with surgically altered anatomy. Therefore, it facilitates endoscopic sphincterotomy as well as transpancreatic biliary sphincterotomy in difficult biliary cannulation cases. This device could aid in the development of a safe and effective advanced selective biliary cannulation technique.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AR_2AC

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.

• References

• 1 Tanisaka Y, Ryozawa S, Mizuide M. et al. Biliary cannulation in patients with Roux-en-Y gastrectomy: an analysis of the factors associated with successful cannulation. Intern Med 2020; 59: 1687-1693
• 2 Tanisaka Y, Ryozawa S, Itoi T. et al. Efficacy and factors affecting procedure results of short-type single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP for altered anatomy: a multicenter cohort in Japan. Gastrointest Endosc 2022; 95: 310-318
• 3 Testoni PA, Mariani A, Aabakken L. et al. Papillary cannulation and sphincterotomy techniques at ERCP: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Clinical Guideline. Endoscopy 2016; 48: 657-683
• 4 Tanisaka Y, Ryozawa S, Mizuide M. et al. Usefulness of the “newly designed” short-type single-balloon enteroscope for ERCP in patients with Roux-en-Y gastrectomy: a pilot study. Endosc Int Open 2018; 6: E1417-E1422
• 5 Tanisaka Y, Mizuide M, Fujita A. et al. A novel sphincterotome facilitates endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with Roux-en-Y gastrectomy. Endoscopy 2022; 54: E780-E781

Publication History

Article published online:
21 April 2023