Endoscopic and fluoroscopic transpapillary placement of a large caliber biliary endoprosthesis

Nonoperative decompression procedures for the relief of obstructive jaundice have been used in both malignant and benign processes. These techniques have proven to be as effective as surgical procedures in the palliative management of malignant biliary stenosis. However, nonoperative decompression procedures have certain advantages, in that they reduce morbidity and mortality associated with palliative surgical procedures, resulting in a decrease in the length of hospital stay and convalescence. Endoscopic transduodenal and percutaneous methods continue to evolve with improved techniques. Herein, we describe a new technique of transduodenal endoscopic decompression of a malignant obstruction of the common bile duct using a large caliber (15 French) endoprosthesis. This is the first report of successful endoscopic placement of such a large caliber endoprosthesis reported in the United States. Subsequently, three other prostheses have been placed in a similar manner. The procedure uses a combined endoscopic-fluoroscopic method and is performed in the same setting as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with cancer of the pancreas, cholangiocarcinomas, metastatic disease, and benign strictures.