Advanced technical tips and recent insights in ERCP using balloon‐assisted endoscopy
Masaaki Shimatani, Toshiyuki Mitsuyama, Takeshi Yamashina, Masahiro Takeo, Shunsuke Horitani, Natsuko Saito, Hironao Matsumoto, Masahiro Orino, Masataka Kano, Takafumi Yuba, Takuya Takayama, Tatsuya Nakagawa, Shoji Takayama
Abstract
Pancreatobiliary endoscopic interventions using balloon-assisted endoscopes have been widely acknowledged as the first-line therapy for pancreatobiliary diseases in postoperative patients with reconstructed gastrointestinal anatomy (excluding the Billroth I procedure). However, there are many technical difficulties, and the procedural completion rates vary in a wide range among institutions, indicating the procedural technique is yet to be standardized. This article aims to provide technical tips of procedures and insights into the advanced aspects, including the management of extremely difficult cases and troubleshooting of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography using balloon endoscopy, along with a review of recent advancements in this field.