Overall Outcomes of Laparoscopic-Assisted ERCP after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass and Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction Subgroup Analysis

Background and study aims Biliary access following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) anatomy presents a significant challenge. Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted trans-gastric ERCP (LA-ERCP) including sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) subtypes have not been thoroughly examined. Our study aims to present our overall outcomes of trans-gastric LAERCP and examine a significant subgroup of patients with SOD after RYGB. Patients and methods A retrospective review of RYGB patients who underwent LA-ERCP between 2009 and 2016 identified 51 patients. A subgroup of 22 patients with SOD were examined and contacted by phone survey to determine long-term symptom resolution. Results Post-procedure length of stay was 1.9 days (SD 3.0). There was one conversion from laparoscopic to open procedure. Selective cannulation rate was 100 %. Mean follow-up was 14.6 months. There were two major operative complications, two major ERCP-related complications, and five wound infections (9.8 %). No deaths or episodes of pancreatitis occurred. Seventeen patients had biliary SOD (Type I = 9, Type II = 8). The remaining four had pancreatic SOD (Type I = 1, Type II = 4). SOD subgroup follow-up was 21.4 months (SD 18.1). All patients with Type I biliary and 75 % with Type I pancreatic SOD reported complete resolution of their symptoms. Conclusions Consistent with other published series, LA-ERCP yields excellent cannulation rates after RYGB. Successful treatment of pancreatic and Type 1 biliary SOD suggests that there is significant symptomatic benefit to treating this patient population. However, an overall complication rate of approximately 15 % with LAERCP leaves open the possibility for improvements in access techniques in post-RYGB patients.