EUS Biliary Drainage vs. ERCP

Endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is an evolving field that has grown in popularity in the management of malignant biliary obstruction. Although Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) with stent insertion has been the mainstay therapy throughout several decades, the transpapillary approach through tumor tissue is associated with significant risk for adverse events such as post-ERCP pancreatitis and stent dysfunction from tumor tissue overgrowth and ingrowth. EUS-BD, through the creation of a choledochoduodenostomy with a stent, has the potential advantage of avoiding the papilla and its associated complications while potentially improving stent patency with lower risks for tumor tissue ingrowth and/or overgrowth.