Simultaneous side-by-side bilateral metal stent placement using a colonoscope in a patient with Billroth II reconstruction

Bilateral metal stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) can be technically challenging, despite the frequent use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) for palliative therapy [1] [2]. Simultaneous side-by-side (SBS) stent placement using a thin delivery system is straightforward and has a high success rate [3]. However, simultaneous SBS placement is considered to be technically difficult in patients with surgically altered anatomy because few suitable devices are available. This is the first report of simultaneous SBS stent placement for MHBO using a novel SEMS with a thin delivery system (Zeo Stent V; Zeon Medical, Tokyo, Japan) ([Fig. 1]) and a colonoscope in a patient with surgically altered anatomy.

Fig. 1 The two novel self-expandable metal stents with 5.4-Fr delivery systems (Zeo Stent V; Zeon Medical, Tokyo, Japan) that can be simultaneously inserted into a colonoscope.

An 86-year-old man with Billroth II reconstruction was diagnosed with MHBO caused by unresectable cholangiocarcinoma ([Fig. 2 a]). A CF-260AI colonoscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan), which has a 3.7-mm working channel, was used for biliary drainage. Two 0.025-inch guidewires (VisiGlide 2; Olympus) were inserted into the intrahepatic bile ducts, and two SEMS delivery systems were simultaneously inserted over the guidewires ([Fig. 2 b]). We used two novel SEMSs (8 × 80 mm) with a 5.4-Fr delivery system (Zeo Stent V). The two SEMSs were deployed successfully without interfering with each other and were placed in the optimal positions using the SBS technique ([Fig. 2 c, d]; [Video 1]). No adverse events were observed and the total procedure time was 9 minutes.

Fig. 2 Radiographic images from an 86-year-old man showing: a malignant hilar biliary obstructions (Bismuth type IV); b two self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) delivery systems that were simultaneously inserted over the strictures; c two SEMSs after their simultaneous deployment by aligning the distal ends of the delivery systems; d the two SEMSs successfully placed using the simultaneous side-by-side technique.

Video 1 Simultaneous side-by-side bilateral metal stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction using a colonoscope in a patient with Billroth II reconstruction.

Endoscopic bilateral metal stenting is technically challenging [4] [5] because of the complexity of the second SEMS insertion. Simultaneous SBS placement avoids the risk of placement failure with the second SEMS. However, few devices are suitable for simultaneous SBS placement in patients with surgically altered anatomy. This combination of a novel SEMS with a 5.4-Fr delivery system and a colonoscope offers the potential for bilateral stenting to treat MHBOs in patients with surgically altered anatomy.

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• References

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