Objective:To investigate the influence of liver drainage volume on overall survival time in patients with unresectable malignant hilar bile duct obstruction.Methods:Data of 633 patients with unresectable malignant hilar bile duct obstruction (BismuthⅡ-Ⅳ) who underwent endoscopic stent drainage in 3 endoscopy centers from January 2002 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Main observation indicators included clinical success rate, stent patency, overall survival, the effective liver drainage volume, and complication incidence.Results:The clinical success rates of patients with liver drainage volume <30%, 30%-50%, and >50% were 56.8% (25/44), 77.3% (201/260) and 84.2% (277/329) respectively. The incidences of early cholangitis were 31.8% (14/44), 18.8% (49/260) and 16.1% (53/329). The median stent patency time was 4.5 (95% CI: 1.8-7.2) months, 5.6 (95% CI: 5.0-6.2) months and 6.6 (95% CI: 5.2-8.0) months. The overall survival time was 2.4 (95% CI: 1.8-3.0) months, 4.0 (95% CI: 3.4-4.6) months and 4.9 (95% CI:4.4-5.4) months, respectively. The clinical success rate ( χ 2=8.28, P=0.012), median stent patency period ( χ 2=18.87, P=0.015) and overall survival time ( χ 2=6.93, P=0.024) of 30%-50% liver drainage volume group were significantly higher than those of <30% group. Further multivariate cox regression analysis showed that the disease type (hepatocellular carcinoma VS hilar cholangiocarcinoma: HR=1.50, 95% CI:1.18-1.91, P=0.001; gallbladder carcinoma VS hilar cholangiocarcinoma: HR=1.45, 95% CI:1.14-1.85, P=0.002; metastatic cholangiocarcinoma VS hilar cholangiocarcinoma: HR=1.48, 95% CI:1.08-2.04, P=0.015), bilirubin level >200 μmol/L ( HR=1.35, 95% CI:1.14-1.60, P<0.001),metal stents ( HR=0.67, 95% CI:0.56-0.79, P<0.001), liver drainage volume (volume 30%-50% VS <30%: HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.45-0.90, P=0.010; volume>50% VS <30%: HR=0.58, 95% CI:0.41-0.81, P=0.002) and anti-tumor therapy ( HR=0.51, 95% CI:0.42-0.61, P<0.001) were independent predictors for overall survival time of patients with unresectable malignant hilar bile duct obstruction. Conclusion:When endoscopic stent drainage is performed for patients with unresectable malignant hilar bile duct obstruction, at least 30% liver volume is required for better overall survival. In addition, the use of metal stent drainage and anti-tumor therapy may increase survival benefits.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of the combination of radiofrequency ablation(RFA) and endoscopic metal stent in the treatment of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:From January 3, 2012 to June 30, 2019, at the Department of Endoscopic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, the clinical data of 44 patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma who were treated by the combination of RFA and endoscopic metal stent were retrospectively collected, which included age, gender, location of cholangiocarcinoma(hilar cholangiocarcinoma and distal cholangiocarcinoma), etc. Postoperative evaluation was conducted based on the follow-up, including clinical success rate, postoperative complication rate, time of stent patency and overall survival time (OS). The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze the difference of OS between patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and distal cholangiocarcinoma. Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis. Results:The age of the 44 patients with cholangiocarcinoma was (70.3±11.6) years old, with 20 males (45.5%). There were 22 patients (50.0%) with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and 22 patients (50.0%) with distal cholangiocarcinoma. The clinical success rate of 44 patients was 93.2%(41/44). A total of 5 patients(11.4%) had postoperative complications, which were all improved by appropriate treatment. The median time of follow-up of the 44 patient was 9.2 months(ranged from 3.1 to 57.6 months), the median time of stent patency was 7.0 months (ranged from 5.8 to 8.2 months). Thirty-two patients (72.7%) died during the follow-up, and the median OS was 10.9 months(ranged from 9.0 to 12.8 months). The median OS of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was 7.8 months(ranged from 4.6 to 11.0 months) and that of patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma was 12.5 months(ranged from 5.7 to 19.4 months), and there was no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). Conclusion:RFA combined with endoscopic metal stent is safe and effective in the treatment of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective:To explore the long-term effect of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of unresectable ampullary carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of patients with ampullary carcinoma who received endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from January 2012 to May 2019 were retrospectively collected, including basic information, frequency of radiofrequency ablation, the type of biliary stent, postoperative complications, and follow-up. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival of patients after endoscopic radiofrequency ablation. Relationship between frequency of radiofrequency ablation, type of biliary stent and overall survival time was analyzed.Results:A total of 50 patients were enrolled, including 31 males and 19 females, aged 73.0±9.7 years. Twenty-five patients (50.0%) underwent 1 radiofrequency ablation treatment, while 25 patients (50.0%) underwent radiofrequency ablation treatments more than twice. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients (12.0%), all of which were mild symptoms. The average follow-up was 22.3 months, with a total of 39 (78.0%) deaths, 5 (10.0%) lost to follow-up, and 6 (12.0%) surviving. The median overall survival time was 16.9 (95% CI: 9.1-24.8) months, with cumulative survival rates of 62.0%, 38.5%, 27.0%, and 12.6% at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The median overall survival time of those treated with radiofrequency ablation ≥2 times showed a trend of prolongation compared to patients treated once, but the difference was not statistically significant [26.7 (95% CI: 9.7-43.7) months VS 12.6 (95% CI: 4.9-20.3) months, χ2=3.049, P=0.081]. Plastic stents were used in 32 patients (64.0%) and metal stents in 18 patients (36.0%). There was no significant difference in median overall survival time between patients using metal and plastic stents [17.1 (95% CI: 6.1-28.0) months VS 15.9 (95% CI: 6.9-24.9) months， χ2=0.029， P=0.865]. Conclusion:Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation is a safe treatment for unresectable ampullary carcinoma, and multiple consecutive treatments may increase the survival benefit.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic stenting drainage for patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction caused by unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:Data of 106 patients with malignant hilar obstruction caused by unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who received endoscopic stenting drainage in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from January 2012 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different stent types, they were divided into the metal stent group (30 cases) and the plastic stent group (76 cases). The observation indexes included clinical success rate, complication incidence, stent patency and overall survival time. The independent predictors for stent patency and overall survival of patients were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression model.Results:The overall clinical success rate was 67.9% (72/106) and the incidence of postoperative cholangitis was 29.2% (31/106). The clinical success rates were 93.3% (28/30) and 57.9% (44/76) ( χ2=12.40, P<0.001), and the incidences of postoperative cholangitis were 13.3% (4/30) and 35.5% (27/76) ( χ2=5.12, P=0.024) in the metal stent group and the plastic stent group, respectively. The median stent patency was 5.2 (95% CI:3.7-6.0) months, and the overall survival time was 3.0 (95% CI:2.5-3.7) months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hepatic drainage volume <30% was an independent predictor for stent patency ( HR=2.12, 95% CI:1.01-4.46, P=0.048). Bismuth type Ⅳ ( HR=2.06, 95% CI:1.12-3.77, P=0.020), Child-Pugh class C ( HR=4.09, 95% CI: 2.00-8.39, P<0.001) and plastic stent ( HR=1.87, 95% CI:1.21-2.90, P=0.005) were independent predictors for overall survival time. Conclusion:Hepatocellular carcinoma involving the hilar bile duct has a poor prognosis. Compared with plastic stents, metal stents show advantages in clinical success rate and incidence of postoperative cholangitis. Hepatic drainage volume <30% is an independent predictor for stent patency, and Bismuth type Ⅳ, Child-Pugh class C and plastic stent are independent predictors for overall survival time.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of endoscopic stent placement for patients with Bismuth type Ⅳ hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:Data of 229 patients with unresectable Bismuth type Ⅳ hilar cholangiocarcinoma who successfully underwent endoscopic stent placement at the Department of Endoscopy, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from January 2002 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Outcomes included clinical success rate, complication incidence, stent patency period and overall survival time. The patency of stents and overall survival time of patients were estimated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. The independent predictors for stent patency and overall survival of patients were analyzed by a multivariate Cox proportional regression model.Results:The overall clinical success rate was 78.2% (179/229). The incidence of early cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was 20.5% (47/229). The median stent patency and overall survival time were 5.7 (95% CI: 4.8-6.7) months and 5.1 (95% CI: 4.2-6.0) months, respectively. Further multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that metal stent ( P<0.001, HR=0.452, 95% CI: 0.307-0.666) and bilateral stents with bilateral angiography ( P=0.036, HR=0.644, 95% CI: 0.427-0.971) were independent predictors of stent patency; total bilirubin>200 μmol/L ( P=0.001, HR=1.627, 95% CI: 1.208-2.192), metal stent ( P=0.004, HR=0.636, 95% CI: 0.467-0.866) and antitumor therapy ( P<0.001, HR=0.439, 95% CI:0.308-0.626) were independent predictors of overall survival. Conclusion:There is high incidence of cholangitis in patients with unresectable Bismuth type Ⅳ hilar cholangiocarcinoma treated with endoscopic stenting. Longer stent patency can be achieved with metal stent placement and bilateral drainage. In addition, metal stent for drainage and antitumor therapy can also help increase the survival benefit.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of ultra-fine metal stents for malignant hilar biliary strictures (MHBS).Methods:Ultra-fine metal stents were simultaneously placed into the intrahepatic duct of 30 patients with unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures of Bismuth type Ⅱ or higher (based on imaging or histological and/or cytological findings) by using the stent-by-stent mode from January 2014 to June 2021 at the Department of Gastroenterology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital. The technical success rate, clinical efficacy and incidence of complications were observed.Results:The technical success rate was 100.0% (30/30), and the clinical success was achieved in 28 patients (93.3%) . The mean procedure time was 55.7±20.7 min and the placement time was 28.3±18.2 min. Early adverse events included mild acute pancreatitis ( n=2) and cholangitis ( n=5). The median stent patency and the median overall survival were 243 days (95% CI: 186.6-299.4 days) and 237 days (95% CI: 149.0- 325.0 days), respectively. The incidence of late cholangitis was 36.7% (11/30). Stent malfunction occurred in 14 of the 30 patients, and 5 of them received endoscopic reintervention. The technical success rate for the reintervention was 4/5 with the mean procedure time of 49.8±6.9 min. Conclusion:Malignant hilar biliary obstruction endoscopic palliation with ultra-fine metal stents using the stent-by-stent mode is safe, feasible and effective.

Objective:To investigate the application value of different metal stents place-ment position in endoscopic drainage of malignant hilar bile duct obstruction.Methods:The retro-spective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 300 patients with malignant hilar bile duct obstruction who were admitted to 3 medical centers, including 216 patients in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, 48 patients in the Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University, 36 patients in the First People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, from January 2012 to January 2019 were collected. There were 164 males and 136 females, aged (67±12)years. All patients were determined to be unresectable by multidisciplinary consultation and underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopathological features of patients; (2) follow-up; (3) analysis of influencing factors for patency time of metal biliary stents and overall survival time of patients. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination and telephone interview to detect patency of metal biliary stents and survival of patients up to July 2019 or death of patients. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the rank sum test. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves, and Log-Rank test was used to conduct survival analysis. COX regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Factors with P<0.1 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Clinicopathological features of patients. Of the 300 patients, 163 cases underwent endoscopic drainage with at least one metal biliary stent' distal portion crossing the duodenal main papilla (hereinafter referred to as crossing papilla), and 137 cases underwent endoscopic drainage with no metal biliary stent' distal portion crossing the duodenal main papilla (hereinafter referred to as no crossing papilla). Age, disease type (hilar cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangio-carcinoma, gallbladder carcinoma, metastatic cholangiocarcinoma), metal biliary stents type (unilateral metal biliary stent, bilateral metal biliary stents) of patients with crossing papilla were (68±13)years, 95, 8, 11, 31, 18, 63, 100, respectively. The above indicators of patients with no crossing papilla were (64±12)years, 63, 22, 20, 23, 9, 126, 11, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between patients with crossing papilla and patients with no crossing papilla ( t=2.70, χ2=17.69, 90.79, P<0.05). (2) Follow-up. All the 300 patients were followed up for 5.4(3.1,9.3)months. The patency time of metal biliary stents was 9.0(8.2,9.8)months and 6.4(4.8,8.0)months of patients with crossing papilla and patients with no crossing papilla, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=8.23, P<0.05). The overall survival time was 5.5(4.2,6.8)months and 5.5(4.3,6.8)months of patients with crossing papilla and patients with no crossing papilla, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=0.28, P>0.05). (3) Analysis of influencing factors for patency time of metal biliary stents and overall survival time of patients. Results of univariate analysis showed that type of metal biliary stents and the placement position of metal biliary stents were related factors affecting the patency time of metal biliary stents [ hazard ratio( HR)=0.44, 0.60, 95% confidence intervals as 0.30?0.64, 0.42?0.85, P<0.05]. Results of multi-variate analysis showed that bilateral metal biliary stents was an independent protective factor for the patency time of metal biliary stents ( HR=0.46, 95% confidence interval as 0.29?0.72, P<0.05). Results of univariate analysis showed that disease type (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma versus hilar cholangiocarcinoma), preoperative serum total bilirubin, type of metal biliary stents, anti-tumor therapy were related factors affecting the overall survival time of patients ( HR=1.05, 1.43, 0.72, 0.61, 95% confidence intervals as 0.70?1.57, 1.12?1.83, 0.55?0.92, 0.47?0.81, P<0.05). Results of multi-variate analysis showed that age >60 years, disease type as hepatocellular carcinoma, preoperative serum total bilirubin >200 μmol/L were independent risk factors for the overall survival time of patients ( HR=1.35, 1.98, 1.46, 95% confidence intervals as 1.02?1.79, 1.40?2.80, 1.13?1.89, P<0.05), and bilateral metal biliary stents, anti-tumor therapy were independent protective factors for the overall survival time of patients ( HR=0.68, 0.60, 95% confidence intervals as 0.53?0.89, 0.45?0.80, P<0.05). Conclusions:Endoscopic drainage with or without metal biliary stents' distal portion crossing the duodenal main papilla is safe and feasible for patients with malignant hilar bile duct obstruction. Bilateral metal biliary stents is an independent protective factor for the patency time of metal biliary stents. Age >60 years, disease type as hepatocellular carcinoma, preoperative serum total bilirubin >200 μmol/L are independent risk factors for the overall survival time of patients, and bilateral metal biliary stents, anti-tumor therapy are independent protective factors for the overall survival time of patients.

Objective:To evaluate endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:Data of consecutive patients with hilar biliary strictures who underwent EUS and were confirmed by postoperative pathology from April 2016 to December 2019 were collected in the retrospective study. The clinical information, EUS image characteristics and lymph nodes of patients were recorded and analyzed.Results:A total of 58 patients were finally included in our study. Hilar cholangiocarcinoma of EUS image was characterized by heterogeneous hypoechoic, non-rich blood supply masses and (or) asymmetric thickening of bile duct wall. Among the 58 cases, 45 cases (77.6%) were manifested as masses and 32 cases (55.2%) were presented as thickening of bile duct wall. Nineteen cases (32.8%) had both manifestations above. There were 10 cases of vascular invasion detected by EUS scanning, including 3 cases of portal vein invasion, 4 cases of hepatic artery invasion, 3 cases of invasion of both loci. Postoperative pathology confirmed 14 cases of vascular invasion, with the diagnostic coincidence rate of 71.4% (10/14). A total of 101 lymph nodes were found in 53 patients by EUS scanning. The malignant lymph nodes presented hypoechoic, round or oval shape, and homogeneous echo. Compared with benign lymph nodes, malignant lymph nodes had higher morphological score (11.41±0.6 VS 9.01 ± 0.15, P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in size (13.29±0.90 mm VS 11.87±0.56 mm, P=0.28). According to the malignancy criteria of EUS lymph nodes (morphological score≥12), the accuracy, the sensitivity, the specificity, the positive predictive value and the negative predictive value of EUS for malignant lymph nodes were 92.1%(93/101), 76.5% (13/17), 95.2% (80/84), 76.5% (13/17) and 95.2% (80/84) , respectively. Conclusion:EUS can show the whole extrahepatic bile duct and part of intrahepatic bile duct, which is helpful to determine the location of tumor in the diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Moreover, EUS is helpful to diagnose hilar cholangiocarcinoma, which is of guiding significance in operative decisions.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of bilateral and unilateral metallic stenting in the treatment of unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction.Methods:From January 2012 to December 2018, a total of 300 patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction (Bismuth type Ⅱ-Ⅳ) were treated with endoscopic metallic stenting in Oriental Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital. Ninety-four patients with bilateral metallic stenting (bilateral metallic stent group) and 94 patients with unilateral metallic stenting (unilateral metallic stent group) were matched and analyzed by propensity score matching. The clinical success rate, the total number of interventions, the stent patency and overall survival time were compared between the two groups.Results:The clinical success rate in the bilateral metallic stent group was significantly higher than that of the unilateral metallic stent group [98.9% (93/94) VS 78.7% (74/94), χ2=19.352, P<0.001], and the mean number of intervention in the bilateral metallic stent group was significantly less than that of the unilateral metallic stent group (1.2±0.5 times VS 1.7±0.9 times, t=-4.345, P<0.001). The stent patency time in the bilateral metallic stent group was significantly longer than that of the other group [10.0 (8.0, 12.1) months VS 5.7 (5.2, 6.3) months, χ2=19.789, P<0.001]. The median survival time of patients in the bilateral group was numerically longer than that in the unilateral group, but did not reach statistical significance [7.6 (6.3, 8.9) months VS 4.6 (3.7, 5.7) months, χ2=3.628, P=0.057]. Conclusion:Endoscopic bilateral metallic stenting is superior to unilateral metallic stenting in the clinical management of malignant hilar biliary obstruction unsuitable for surgery.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic placement of transpapillary parallel-style bilateral metal stents for malignant hilar biliary stricture.Methods:A total of 55 patients with malignant hilar biliary stricture (Bismuth Ⅱ-Ⅳ) were treated with an improved endoscopic drainage technique (endoscopic transpapillary parallel-style bilateral metal stenting) from January 2012 to December 2018 in Shanghai Oriental Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital. The technical success rate, clinical success rate, incidence of complications, success rate of endoscopic re-intervention, stent patency and overall survival were analyzed.Results:The technical success rate of endoscopic placement of bilateral metal stents was 96.4% (53/55), the clinical success rate was 96.2% (51/53), and the early complication incidence was 13.2% (7/53). The median stent patency was 9.2 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.3 months), the success rate of endoscopic re-intervention of bilateral biliary systems was 92.3% (12/13), and the median overall survival was 6.7 months (95% CI: 4.7-8.8 months). Conclusion:This modified technique of bilateral metal stent placement is safe and effective for malignant hilar biliary stricture that is unsuitable for surgery.