There is limited evidence on the incidence of needle tract seeding (NTS) in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) tissue acquisition (TA) of pancreatic lesions. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the incidence of NTS after EUS-TA. With a search of the literature up until April 2022, we identified 10 studies (13,238 patients) assessing NTS incidences in patients undergoing EUS-TA. The primary outcome was NTS incidence. The secondary outcome was a comparison in terms of peritoneal carcinomatosis incidence between patients who underwent EUS-TA and non-sampled patients. Results were expressed as pooled rates or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The pooled rate of NTS was 0.3% (95% CI 0.2–0.4%), with no evidence of heterogeneity (I² = 0%). Subgroup analysis based on the type of sampled lesion confirmed this finding both in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (0.4%, 0.2–0.6%) and in patients with cystic pancreatic lesions (0.3%, 0.1–0.5%). No difference in terms of metachronous peritoneal dissemination was observed between patients who underwent EUS-TA and non-sampled patients (OR 1.02, 0.72–1.46; p = 0.31), with evidence of low heterogeneity (I² = 16%). Rates of NTS after EUS-TA are very low; therefore, EUS-TA could be safely performed in a pre-operative setting.

Introduction: Common bile duct (CBD) exploration is indicated in symptomatic patients with choledocholithiasis when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is not feasible or has failed. In selected complex cases, robotic surgery may offer technical advantages over conventional laparoscopy. Material and Methods: A 51-year-old woman presented with biliary colic and ultrasound evidence of choledocholithiasis. Past medical history included congenital pyloric stenosis treated with open gastrojejunostomy at the age of 3 days, precluding ERCP. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) demonstrated multiple large distal CBD stones. Interventional radiology attempts failed to achieve complete clearance, and a percutaneous biliary drain was placed. The patient underwent robotic-assisted cholecystectomy and CBD exploration. Results: Following extensive adhesiolysis, robotic cholecystectomy was completed. A longitudinal choledochotomy enabled extraction of multiple stones using the chopstick technique, a Fogarty catheter, and choledochoscopic basket retrieval. After unsuccessful conventional retrieval attempts, an impacted stone was removed using a choledochoscopy-guided robotic intraductal grasping maneuver, with an 8-mm wristed forceps introduced through the choledochotomy and used exclusively for mechanical grasping. The choledochotomy was closed with continuous suturing, and intraoperative cholangiography confirmed unobstructed biliary flow without residual stones. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day seven. At two-month follow-up, cholangiography through the transcystic catheter confirmed persistent ductal clearance, allowing for catheter removal. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the feasibility of robotic CBD exploration in a selected patient with complex choledocholithiasis and altered anatomy when conventional treatment options were not feasible or unsuccessful.