A new Medscape Medical News MedBrief reports that endoscopic ultrasound–guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) may offer a safer and more efficient alternative to ERCP in patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction.
In comparative findings, EUS-CDS was associated with a lower rate of postprocedural pancreatitis, higher technical success, and shorter procedure times than ERCP. Post-ERCP pancreatitis remains the most common adverse event linked to the procedure, while EUS-CDS avoids manipulation of the papilla and pancreatic duct by creating a biliary bypass under ultrasound guidance.