Comparison of fully versus partially covered metal stents in endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy for malignant biliary obstruction (with video)

Background

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) using a fully covered metal stent (FCMS) or partially covered metal stent (PCMS) is performed to manage unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) following unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This study aimed to compare FCMS and PCMS for EUS-HGS in patients with MBO.

Methods

We reviewed the EUS database to analyze consecutive patients with MBO who underwent EUS-HGS between November 2017 and March 2023. We performed a 1:1 matching using propensity score matching based on potential confounding factors. Stent patency, technical success, clinical success, adverse events, reintervention, and overall survival were assessed.

Results

The technical success rate of EUS-HGS was 92% (123/134). A total of 80 patients with technical success (40 FCMS, 40 PCMS) were selected after propensity score matching. The two groups showed similar rates of clinical success (90% vs. 88%; P = 0.999), early adverse events (15% vs. 20%; P = 0.556), late adverse events (18% vs. 33%; P = 0.121), reintervention (20% vs. 38%; P = 0.084), and median overall survival (4.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.6–5.5] vs. 3.8 months [95% CI 1.9–5.7]; P = 0.609). During follow-up, the FCMS group showed higher patency rates (85% vs. 60% at 6 months; 76% vs. 43% at 12 months; P = 0.030).

Conclusions

FCMS and PCMS for EUS-HGS in patients with unresectable MBO showed similar rates of clinical success, as well as early and late adverse events. However, the FCMS group showed a higher cumulative stent patency rate compared to the PCMS group.