Background The effectiveness of endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is still uncertain, especially in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). We examined the efficacy of endobiliary RFA followed by bilateral self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement for unresectable MHBO. Methods 41 patients met the eligibility criteria for study inclusion. We evaluated the technical success, functional success, and recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) associated with RFA with bilateral SEMS placement. Results The technical and functional success rates were both 95.1 % (39/41). The RBO rate was 38.5 % (15/39), and the median time to RBO was 230 days. Stricture length was positively correlated with time to RBO in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.03). The median time to RBO was significantly longer in patients with strictures > 15 mm in length than in those with strictures ≤ 15 mm (314 vs. 156 days; P = 0.02). Conclusions The present study showed that endobiliary RFA with bilateral SEMS placement achieved good results, but selection of patients with an appropriate stricture length may be needed to obtain a sufficient ablative effect.

Fine-needle biopsy needles can be useful for obtaining samples that facilitate the diagnosis of SET and for avoiding unwarranted resections. However, FNB needles may be less advantageous for small SET.

Background: Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising treatment modality for patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (eCCA). However, no study has investigated the combined use of endobiliary RFA and gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the feasibility and efficacy of endobiliary RFA with GC therapy for patients with unresectable eCCA. Methods: The study outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), time to recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), and adverse events associated with the treatment. These parameters were retrospectively compared between 25 patients who underwent RFA with self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement followed by GC therapy (with-RFA group) and a control cohort of 25 patients who underwent SEMS placement alone and GC therapy (without-RFA group). Results: The median time to RBO was significantly longer in the with-RFA group (10.7 versus 5.2 months, p = 0.048). The median OS was significantly higher in patients with locally advanced tumors in the with-RFA group (23.1 versus 16.6 months, p = 0.032), but did not differ significantly in patients with metastasis (11.4 versus 8.5 months, p = 0.180). Similarly, the median PFS was significantly higher in the with-RFA group in patients with locally advanced disease (10.1 versus 7.3 months, p = 0.015), while there was no significant difference in patients with metastasis (5.4 versus 4.4 months, p = 0.529). The rates of various toxicities did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions: Endobiliary RFA prolonged the patency period of uncovered SEMS combined with GC therapy in patients with eCCA. Although RFA also yielded survival benefits, its effect was restricted to locally advanced tumors.

Simultaneous SBS placement using the novel 5.7-Fr SEMS delivery system may be more straightforward and have a higher success rate compared to that with sequential SBS placement. This new method may be useful for bilateral stenting to treat MHBOs.

Background and Aim Endoscopic placement of three branched self‐expandable metallic stents (SEMS) for high‐grade malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) is technically challenging. We examined the feasibility and efficacy of a novel stenting method combining side‐by‐side and stent‐in‐stent (SBSIS) placement for MHBO. Methods Between January 2015 and December 2018, 27 consecutive patients with high‐grade MHBO underwent SBSIS placement. We evaluated the technical success, functional success, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), adverse events other than RBO, and reintervention success rates associated with SBSIS placement. Results Technical success rate was 85% (23/27). Insertion of the third SEMS failed in four patients, and median diameter of the common bile duct (CBD) was significantly smaller in patients in whom technical failure occurred (5 mm vs 8 mm; P = 0.004). Functional success was achieved in all patients in whom the procedure was a technical success. Rate of adverse events other than RBO was 15% (4/27). RBO rate was 43% (10/23), and median time to RBO was 157 days. Success rate of endoscopic reintervention for RBO was 89% (8/9). Conclusion SBSIS placement showed favorable results and is a promising option in patients with high‐grade MHBO requiring triple metal stenting. However, it might be preferable to avoid SBSIS in patients with a narrow CBD. Clinical Trial Registry: UMIN000035721