Training and quality indicators in interventional endoscopic ultrasound

Abstract

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has transformed the landscape of minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedures, necessitating specialized training for proficiency in interventional EUS (iEUS). This study evaluates the effectiveness of iEUS training, focusing on learning curves, success rates, and the associated risks in various procedures, aiming to recommend practices for standardizing training and ensuring competency. Key metrics such as procedure type, learning curve for proficiency, success rates, and risk of adverse events were analyzed to establish benchmarks for training programs. Proficiency in pancreatic fluid collection drainage was achieved after 20–30 procedures, with a 100% success rate and a complication rate ranging from 1.5 to 80%. Gallbladder drainage required 19 cases to reach an 86% success rate, with adverse events reported in 19% of cases. Choledocoduodenostomy mastery was observed after approximately 100 cases, with postintervention pancreatitis affecting 5.3–6.6% of all cases. Hepaticogastrostomy showed a 93% success rate after 33 cases, with a 24.8% adverse event rate. Hepaticoenterostomy reached 100% success beyond the 40th patient, with a 20% rate of postsurgical strictures. Pancreatic duct drainage achieved 89% technical and 87% clinical success after 27 cases, with 12–15% adverse events. Gastro‐enteric anastomosis required 25 cases for proficiency and approximately 40 cases for mastery, with 5.5% immediate and 1% late adverse events. iEUS training outcomes vary significantly across different procedures, highlighting the importance of structured, procedure‐specific training programs to achieve proficiency. These findings provide a foundation for developing universal competency benchmarks in iEUS, facilitating consistent and effective training worldwide.