Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Pancreatic Duct Drainage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage (EUS-PD) has emerged as a minimally invasive therapeutic option for patients who cannot undergo traditional retrograde access to the pancreatic duct due to difficulties in cannulation or surgically altered anatomy. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the overall outcomes and safety of EUS-PD.

We conducted a comprehensive search of major databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Science Citation Index, up until October 2023. The meta-analysis focused on technical and clinical success rates, as well as the overall adverse event (AE) rate.

A total of 27 trials involving 902 patients were included in the study. The cumulative rate of technical success is 89%, and the clinical success is 88%, whereas the AE rate was 17%. The most common AE observed was post-EUS-PD acute pancreatitis, with a rate of 3%. In addition, the cumulative rates of bleeding, perforation, pancreatic leak, and infection were 2%, 2%, 1%, and 1%, respectively.

EUS-PD demonstrates highly favorable technical and clinical success rates, alongside acceptable AE rates, making it a highly effective procedure.