Clinical outcome of endoscopic treatment of symptomatic Hepaticojejunal anastomotic strictures after pancreatoduodenectomy

Background: Hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HJAS) is an adverse event after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) which can result in jaundice and/or cholangitis. With endoscopy, HJAS can be managed. However, few studies report the specific success and adverse event rates of endoscopic therapy after PD.Methods: Patients with symptomatic HJAS, who underwent an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at the Erasmus MC between 2004-2020, were retrospectively included. Primary outcomes were short-term clinical success defined as no need for re-intervention <3 months and longterm <12 months. Secondary outcome measures were cannulation success and adverse events. Recurrence was defined as symptoms with radiological/endoscopic confirmation.Results: A total of 62 patients were included. The hepaticojejunostomy was reached in 49/62 (79%) of the patients, subsequently cannulated in 42/49 (86%) and in 35/42 patients (83%) an intervention was performed. Recurrence of symptomatic HJAS after technically successful intervention occurred in 20 (57%) patients after median time to recurrence of 7.5 months [95%CI, 7.2-NA]. Adverse events were reported in 4% of the procedures (8% of patients), mostly concerning cholangitis.Discussion: Endoscopic treatment for symptomatic HJAS after PD has a moderate technical success rate and a high recurrence rate. Future studies should optimize endoscopic treatment protocols and compare percutaneous versus endoscopic treatment.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively investigated the success and adverse event rates of endoscopic therapy for symptomatic HJAS after PD. The results showed a moderate technical success rate and a high recurrence rate. Future studies should optimize treatment protocols and compare different treatment methods.