The Role and Appropriate Selection of Guidewires in Biliopancreatic Endoscopy

Guidewires are indispensable tools in biliopancreatic endoscopy, playing a critical role in facilitating access and enabling the advancement of various devices during interventions such as Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-guided procedures. These devices are primarily used to achieve and maintain access to lumens, ensuring the success of complex therapeutic maneuvers. Guidewires vary widely in terms of material, structure, length, diameter, and tip shape, offering distinct advantages depending on the clinical context. Therefore, selecting the appropriate guidewire is crucial and must be tailored to the specific requirements of each procedure. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current landscape of guidewire use in biliopancreatic endoscopy, emphasizing their importance, characteristics, and best practices for selection to optimize patient outcomes. By reviewing existing guidelines and the literature, this paper aims to enhance the endoscopist's understanding of guidewire technology and its application in biliopancreatic endoscopy.