Utility of a novel tapered-tip sheath system for preoperative mapping biopsy of biliary tract cancers.

Abstract

Background and study aims: Preoperative evaluation of biliary tract cancer progression plays a critical role in assessing resectability and in selecting the appropriate surgical procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a novel tapered-tip sheath system for mapping biopsy to assess the extent of biliary tract cancer.

Patients and methods: This observational, comparative study included 32 patients who were diagnosed with biliary tract cancers and underwent mapping biopsies with the novel tapered-tip sheath system and 21 patients using the conventional methods before the period. Technical success, total biopsy time, number of biopsy specimens, appropriate tissue sampling, adverse events (AEs), and negative surgical margin in case of surgical resection were evaluated.

Results: The following were the respective results for the novel system and conventional methods groups: technical success rates, 73.3% and 48.4% ( P = 0.027); total biopsy times, 11.4 and 23.5 minutes ( P = 0.043); median number of specimens obtained per procedure, 6 and 3 ( P < 0.001); appropriate tissue sampling rates, 86.1% and 67.2% ( P < 0.001); AE rates, 2.1% and 0%; and negative surgical margin rates, 90.4% and 78.6%.

Conclusions: Preoperative mapping biopsy using the novel tapered-tip sheath system is a promising option for assessing the extent of biliary tract cancers.