EUS-guided jejuno-enterostomy in a patient with total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy to facilitate cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy

A 67-year-old man with a history of total gastrectomy followed by Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy reconstruction in the setting of gastric adenocarcinoma presented with right-upper-quadrant pain and an abnormal liver function test (LFT) (aspartate aminotransferase 389, alanine aminotransferase 273, alkaline phosphatase 297, total bilirubin 8.70). A liver CT scan was consistent with dilation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts (Figs. 1 and 2; Video 1, available online at www.giejournal.org). The patient initially underwent enteroscopy-assisted ERCP, which revealed extensive choledocholithiasis (5 large stones) with a possible terminal bile duct stricture. Despite the multiple attempts to extract the stones with balloon sweeps after extending the sphincterotomy and performing sphincteroplasty, extraction was not possible, and the stone burden was not resolved (Fig. 3; Video 1). Therefore, the decision was made to place multiple biliary plastic stents and admit the patient for overnight observation.

In patients with surgically altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy, standard ERCP becomes technically challenging and therapeutic interventions are often limited by the length of these devices. Often, more invasive endoscopic, percutaneous, or even surgical approaches^{,  ,  ,  ,}  are needed to achieve the planned intervention. The decision is guided by available expertise, patient preference, and anticipated interventions. Because of the size and burden of the stones and the limited therapeutic devices that can be used through a colonoscope to treat large stones, 3 options were discussed with the patient: (1) repeat enteroscopy-assisted ERCP with plans to reattempt stone extraction with traditional techniques and replacement of multiple biliary plastic stents. Multiple repeated procedures were expected with time to ductal clearance uncertain. (2) Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with subsequent cholangioscopy and lithotripsy through the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography tract to achieve ductal clearance. This option was limited by the need for external drainage, which was opposed by the patient. (3) Creation of an enteroenterostomy using a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) to facilitate cholangioscopy and lithotripsy. Despite the technically challenging nature of this procedure, it was deemed to be the better option for the patient given that it would allow advanced interventions, such as cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), without the need for external drainage.

Initially, an orojejunal tube was placed in the afferent limb and used to inject contrast to opacify this limb. Using EUS, which was positioned in the roux limb and oriented toward the afferent limb, we deployed a 15- × 10-mm electrocautery-assisted LAMS creating a de novo jejuno-enterostomy, using a free-hand method. A plastic double-pigtail stent was placed through the LAMS to prevent stent-related erosion in the jejunum (Fig. 4; Video 1). The patient was admitted for an overnight observation, which was subsequently uncomplicated. Given that the ERCP was nonurgent and as multiple plastic stents were maintaining adequate biliary drainage, repeat ERCP was scheduled for 4 weeks later. During the follow-up ERCP, the previously placed plastic pigtail stent was removed, and the LAMS was dilated to 15 mm because of incomplete expansion. Ultimately, the fistula was traversed under both endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance with a therapeutic gastroscope. The entry point into the afferent limb was just distal to the papilla, which was successfully canulated by gentle angulation of the gastroscope under fluoroscopic guidance followed by ERCP with cholangioscopy and EHL (Fig. 5). The large stones were successfully fragmented and 3 new plastic stents (one 7F and two 10F) were placed to ensure adequate biliary drainage. The patient’s procedure was uncomplicated, but he returned 4 weeks later for a repeat ERCP based on the complaint of reflux. During this procedure, his biliary stents were removed, and a high-quality cholangiogram confirmed complete ductal clearance with good contrast drainage. Because of the patient’s symptom of reflux, which was believed to be from bile reflux, we elected to actively close the enteroenterostomy. The previously deployed LAMS was removed, the edges of the fistulous tract were devitalized with argon plasma coagulation, and an over-the-scope clip was placed (Fig. 5; Video 1), leading to successful closure. The resolution of the fistula post-procedurally was not confirmed.

During a clinical follow-up after 1 year, the patient had remained asymptomatic and had persistently normal LFTs. The creation of an EUS-guided jejuno-enterostomy with a LAMS to facilitate ERCP and cholangioscopy in altered anatomy appears to be a feasible option.