EUS - Guided Balloon-occluded Gastrojejunostomy Bypass

Surgical gastrojejunostomy is the conventional treatment for palliating patients suffering from of inoperable malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Although, the procedure is associated with a high success and low re-intervention rates, there is a risk of morbidities (10% - 16%) and mortalities (7%). The placement of a pyloro-duodenal self-expandable metallic stent (DSEMS) is an alternative to surgery for the palliating these patients. As compared to surgery, the procedure is associated with shorter hospital stay, reduced morbidities and cost. However, the clinical efficacy of DSEMS is limited by several problems. In uncovered DSEMS, the long-term patency is reduced by tumor ingrowth leading to subsequent re-stenosis. In covered DSEMS, stent migration occurs at a frequency of 14 - 25% and it is a major obstacle to stent patency. As a result, randomized trials comparing uncovered DSEMS and partially or fully covered DSEMS in patients with malignant GOO have reported comparable stent patency between the two types of stents.

Recently, the creation of a gastrojejunostomy under EUS (EUS-GJ) guidance using lumen-apposing stents has been described 12-16. The procedure was associated with a technical success rate of around 90% and clinical success of 85% to 100%. The procedure holds the potential to create a gastrojejunostomy without surgery. Furthermore, there is a low risk of tumor ingrowth and stent migration, thus improving the stent patency and reducing the need of re-intervention. However, there is limited data on how EPASS compares to endoscopic stenting. The aim of the current study is thus to compare prospective data on EPASS versus a historical group that received DSEMS.

In recent years, DSEMSs have provided an attractive alternative to surgery for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Several studies have assessed the clinical and technical success rates of DSEMS for malignant gastroduodenal obstruction. Technical success rates of 90% to 100% and clinical success of 80% to 95% was achieved.The procedure was associated with quicker recovery and reduced morbidities as compared to surgical gastrojejunostomies. However, the long-term patency of uncovered DSEMS is limited by the risk of tumor ingrowth that would lead to subsequent re-stenosis of the stents requiring re-intervention. Thus to palliate malignant gastric outlet obstruction, surgical gastrojejunostomy is preferred in patients that are fit for surgery with prolonged life expectancy whilst insertion of DSEMS is preferred in patients that are associated with high-risk for surgery and short life expectancy.

Recently, EUS-guided gastrojejunostomies have become possible. In the early description, a common technical problem exists in the series. The target duodenum or jejunum needed for creation of a GJ is collapsed and it is difficult to identify the target organ by EUS from the stomach. Furthermore, the insertion of the stent for creation of the anastomosis may be difficult with a collapsed bowel and this may result in catastrophic outcomes. To overcome this difficulty, our group has published the results of using the double balloon occluder that allows distension of the duodenum in conjunction with the AXIOS stent for creation of a GJ in 20 patients (Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided double-balloon-occluded gastrojejunostomy bypass - EPASS). The technical success rate was 90% (18/20). The median intubation time from the double-balloon tube intubation to stent placement was 25.5 min (range 10-39 min). Post-treatment gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) score improved in all 18 cases in which EPASS was successfully performed.

Thus, based on the above results, EUS-GJ may be associated with improved outcomes as compared with conventional procedures for management of malignant GOO. The aim of the current study is to compare the efficacies of EPASS in a prospective multicenter setting versus a historical cohort of uncovered DSEMS for patients suffering from unresectable malignant GOO.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Consecutive patients ≥ 18 years old
* Biopsy and/or cytology confirmed unresectable distal gastric or duodenal or pancreatico-biliary malignancies
* Suffering from gastric outlet obstruction with a gastric outlet obstruction score of ≤ 1 (appendix 1) 19 Performance status ECOG ≤3 (appendix 2)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior metallic stent placement
* Severe comorbidities precluding the endoscopic procedure (such as cardiopulmonary disease, sepsis, or a bleeding disorder)
* Life expectancy of less than 1 month
* History of gastric surgery
* Linitus plastic
* Multiple-level bowel obstruction confirmed on radiographic studies such as small bowel series or abdominal computed tomography
* Coagulation disorders
* Pregnancy