Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy: a review

Gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) occurs due to anatomic blockage of the stomach or duodenum. GOO typically manifests with symptoms such as early satiety, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss, due to either underlying benign or malignant causes. Historically, the gold standard for managing GOO has been surgical gastrojejunostomy. However, this approach comes with considerable drawbacks including prolonged recovery times and the necessity for suitable surgical candidates. Endoscopically placed self-expanding metal stents emerged as a notable advancement in palliating symptoms associated with GOO. However, their long-term efficacy is hindered by the frequent occurrence of stent occlusion, necessitating the need for further intervention. Most recently, endoscopic ultrasound guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) using lumen-apposing metal stents has been described with promising technical and clinical success rates. The advent of EUS-GE heralds a significant stride forward in the management of GOO, offering a less invasive yet effective alternative to conventional surgical approaches. EUS-GE has been associated with lower adverse events as compared with surgical gastrojejunostomy and lower recurrence and reintervention rates compared with enteral stenting. The advent of EUS-GE heralds a significant stride forward in the management of GOO, offering a less invasive yet effective alternative to conventional surgical approaches. EUS-GE is a promising evolving technique for treating GOO, and ongoing studies are necessary to validate its use in both benign and malignant GOO.