Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of a New Short-access-cholangioscope for Biliary Duct Strictures and Gall Stones

Cholangioscopy is a subsidiary treatment in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP), used for special issues. In the context of ERCP, a long,thin shaped device is introduced through the working channel of a duodenoscope and then through the papilla into the biliary duct.

Inspection of the biliary duct can be used for tumor biopsies as well as for gall stone lithotripsy by laser or electrohydraulic technique.

Manoeuverability of cholangioscopes is limited by the length of the scope, even more, since most of the device body is stuck in the working channel.

The newly designed cholangioscope by the company of Karl Storz GmbH is introduced through a shortened working channel. Introduction of the cholangioscope is done by an innovative side port for the cholangioscope at 70 cm from the insertion tube's distal end. This leads to a better flexibility of the device tip. Better manoeuverability of the device tip will lead to both a better accuracy in taking biopsies as well as a better flexibility in lithotripsy manoeuvres.

This study is designed to test the efficiency of the device in relation to this assumption.

Inclusion criteria

• Choledocholithiasis, not treatable through conventional ERCP with sphincterotomy.
• Stricture of the biliary duct in need of histopathological investigation

Exclusion criteria

• Aggravated or impossible access to papilla
• Inappropriate biliary anatomy, e.g. multiple strictures or diameter of duct < cholangioscope impairing intubation
• Primary sclerosing cholangitis
• Coagulopathy (quick < 50%, thrombocytes < 50/nl)and anticoagulant medication
• Bad patient's condition (ASA IV)