Background/Aims: Covered self-expandable metallic stents (cSEMS) have become popular for endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy with transmural stenting (EUS-HGS). We compared the time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO), complications, and reintervention rates between EUS-HGS using plastic stent (PS) and cSEMS in patients with unresectable malignancies at multicenter institutions in Japan.Methods: Patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EUS-HGS between April 2015 and July 2020 at any of the six participating facilities were enrolled. Primary endpoint: TRBO; secondary endpoints: rate of complications other than recurrent biliary obstruction and technical success rate of reintervention were evaluated.Results: PS and cSEMS were used for EUS-HGS in 109 and 43 patients, respectively. The TRBO was significantly longer in the cSEMS group than in the PS group (646 vs. 202 days). Multivariate analysis identified two independent factors associated with a favorable TRBO: combined EUS-guided antegrade stenting with EUS-HGS and the use of cSEMS. No significant difference was observed in the rate of complications other than recurrent biliary obstruction between the two groups. The technical success rate of reintervention was 85.7% for PS and 100% for cSEMS (p=0.309).Conclusions: cSEMS might be a better option for EUS-HGS in patients with unresectable malignancies, given the longer TRBO.

Objectives: Endoscopic-ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) with plastic stent placement is associated with a high incidence of adverse events that may be reduced using an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) contrast catheter in the track dilation step. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of track dilation and bile aspiration performed with an ERCP contrast catheter in EUS-HGS with plastic stent placement. Methods: In a multicenter setting, 22 EUS-HGS cases dilated with an ERCP contrast catheter were analyzed retrospectively and compared between a bile aspiration group and no bile aspiration group. Results: Overall, adverse events occurred in three (13.6%) cases of bile leakage, three (13.6%) cases of peritonitis, and one (4.5%) case of bleeding. Comparing patients with and without bile aspiration, 6 of the 11 patients (54.5%) with no bile aspiration had adverse events, whereas only 1 of the 11 patients (9.1%) who had bile aspiration, as much bile as possible, had an adverse event (bleeding). In univariate analysis, the only factor affecting the occurrence of adverse events was bile aspiration whenever possible (odds ratio, 12.0; 95%CI 1.12–128.84). Conclusions: In EUS-HGS with plastic stent placement, track dilation and bile aspiration with an ERCP contrast catheter may be useful in reducing adverse events.

Objectives: In recent years, endoscopic ultrasound–guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS–HGS) has been performed as an important salvage option for failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for biliary drainage. However, technical issues, such as puncture site (bile duct of segment 3 [B3] or bile duct of segment 2 [B2]), dilation method, stent selection, and procedural safety, need to be resolved for the optimization of EUS–HGS. The present study was to compare the safety, difficulty, and technical and functional success between biliary access via B2 and B3 during EUS–HGS.Methods: We conducted a retrospective investigation of 161 consecutive EUS–HGS cases across a total of 6 facilities, including those at our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to the successful drainage route: the puncture to B2 (P‐B2) or the puncture to B3 (P‐B3). We compared the technical and functional success rates, technical difficulty, and adverse events between the two groups. We also conducted a subgroup analysis to show the factors related to the procedure time.Results: There were 92 cases in the P‐B2 group and 69 cases in the P‐B3 group. There were no significant differences in the technical success, functional success, or adverse events between the groups; however, the procedure time was significantly shorter in P‐B2 cases than in P‐B3 cases. The multivariate analysis showed that the puncture site was the only factor related to the procedure time.Conclusions: Based on these findings, P‐B2 appears useful and safe. P‐B2 is as effective as P‐B3 and was able to be performed in a shorter period of time. The B2 approach can be considered a useful option for EUS–HGS.

Objectives: Early obstruction of a self‐expandable metal stent placed for distal malignant biliary obstruction is more likely to occur in the presence of duodenal invasion. An anti‐reflux self‐expandable metal stent (ARMS) has been developed for the purpose of preventing duodenal fluid reflux into the bile duct. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness and safety of a duckbill‐type ARMS (D‐ARMS) in the situation of duodenal invasion.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 10 consecutive patients who received D‐ARMS for distal malignant biliary obstruction with duodenal invasion. We evaluated non‐occlusion cholangitis, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), and adverse events after D‐ARMS placement.Results: There were no cases of non‐occlusion cholangitis. RBO was observed in 2 patients (20%), and time to RBO was 236 days and 117 days, respectively. The causes of RBO were overgrowth and sludge formation. The median time to RBO was 382 days (range, 117–382 days). Only one adverse event was observed (cholecystitis).Conclusions: D‐ARMS shows potential as an optimal ARMS.

A 70-year-old Japanese man with a submucosal gastric mass that continued to increase in size underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection using the pocket creation method. Histologically, some epithelial cell nuclei were enlarged, but there was little atypia overall and no sign of malignancy, suggesting a diagnosis of submucosal heterotopic gastric gland (SHGG). SHGG that enlarges over time has been associated with gastric cancer, but a preoperative diagnosis is difficult. This case was very valuable, as it enabled us to follow the course of SHGG over a period of about nine years, from the onset to enlargement.

A 79‐year‐old Japanese woman, who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy 6 months prior to presentation owing to pancreatic cancer, complained of jaundice with high fever. Computed tomography revealed proximal bile duct dilatation with complete hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HJAS). We performed a single‐balloon endoscopy for biliary drainage. The presence of a scar‐like feature surrounding the anastomosis was identified as the HJAS. White‐light imaging during single‐balloon endoscopy revealed that the HJAS contained a milky whitish area (MWA), suggesting that a membranous and fibrosis layer affected continuous inflammation around the center of the anastomosis (within a scar‐like feature). Endoscopic dilatation was performed using an endoscopic injection needle, with the MWA used as an indicator. A 23‐gauge endoscopic injection needle was used to penetrate the center of the blind lumen within the MWA, and a pinhole was created in the stricture. After confirming the position of the proximal bile duct using a contrast medium with the needle, an endoscopic guidewire with a cannula was inserted into the pinhole. A through‐the‐scope sequential balloon dilator was used to dilate the stricture, and a plastic stent was inserted into the proximal bile duct. This endoscopic intervention led to positive outcomes. In cases of complete HJAS occlusion, an endoscopic approach to the bile duct is difficult because the anastomotic opening of the HJAS is not visible. Thus, puncturing within the MWA, which can be used as a scar‐like landmark within a complete membranous HJAS, is considered a useful endoscopic strategy.