PERcutaneous transhepatic CHOLangioscopy using a new single-operator short cholangioscope (PERCHOL): European...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Biliary Interventions

Background:

• A novel short device for percutaneous endoscopic cholangioscopy (PEC) has been developed.
• Its clinical feasibility and safety profile require thorough evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical and technical success rates of a new short PEC device.
• To evaluate the incidence of adverse events (AEs) associated with its use.

Main Methods:

• An observational, multicenter, retrospective study was conducted.
• Patients undergoing PEC with the short device between 2020 and 2022 were included.
• Clinical success was defined as complete duct clearance or successful biopsy; technical success and AE rates were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• Fifty-one patients (mean age 60 years) were included, with altered anatomy and biliary stones being common.
• The technique demonstrated a clinical success rate of 96.6% in a median of one session.
• Technical success was 100%, with a 19.6% overall AE rate (4.0% PEC-related AEs).

Conclusions:

• The new short PEC device is effective and safe for achieving biliary duct clearance or obtaining histopathological diagnoses.
• It requires a minimal number of sessions, indicating its efficiency in clinical practice.