The double-guidewire technique (DGT) for difficult biliary cannulation was first described by Dumonceau et al. in 1998 [1]. Over recent years, DGT has become an important advanced technique after unsuccessful standard retrograde cannulation (guidewire-assisted or contrast-assisted), especially when unintentional pancreatic duct cannulation occurs [2]. The success rate of DGT for biliary cannulation in randomized controlled trials ranges from 66.6 % to 92.5 % [3]. We describe a similar alternative to DGT using a single guidewire with two hydrophilic tips.
A 75-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with non-severe pancreatitis. Physical examination was unremarkable except for mild jaundice. Abdominal ultrasound showed gallstones inside the common bile duct, and laboratory studies revealed total bilirubin of 4.8 mg/dL (direct bilirubin 3.5 mg/dL). After resolution of the pancreatitis, the patient was referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stone extraction.
During the procedure, we encountered difficult biliary access, with three pancreatic duct cannulations ([Fig. 1]). In our unit, we routinely employ sphincterotome-assisted guidewire cannulation. In this case, we used a Hydra Jagwire (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA), which offers two hydrophilic tips. After the third pancreatic duct cannulation, the first tip was kept inside the main pancreatic duct. We removed the sphincterotome, reinserted the second tip through its guidewire channel ([Fig. 2]), and successfully performed biliary cannulation similarly to DGT ([Fig. 3], [Video 1]). Finally, we performed the sphincterotomy and balloon sweeping.
Fig. 1 First guidewire tip inside the main pancreatic duct.
Fig. 2 Double-tip guidewire loop, with the second tip inside the sphincterotome.
Fig. 3 Sphincterotome reinsertion to perform deep biliary cannulation.
Video 1 The single-guidewire double-tip cannulation technique for difficult biliary access.
At follow-up, the patient presented neither abdominal pain nor hyperamylasemia and was referred to a gastrointestinal surgeon for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
DGT for difficult biliary access is effective and widespread but carries high related costs owing to the need for an extra guidewire. The single-guidewire double-tip cannulation (DTC) technique is as effective and safe as DGT but has no additional costs. Employment of the DTC technique on a regular basis may result in a more convenient and less costly approach to difficult biliary access [4].
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