Forward-viewing versus oblique-viewing echoendoscopes in transluminal drainage of pancreatic fluid collections: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial

Background: EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) is commonly performed with oblique-viewing echoendoscopes. However, accessing the PFC under an oblique angle can make drainage difficult. These difficulties might be overcome by using a forward-viewing echoendoscope.

Objective: To compare endoscopic PFC drainage with an oblique-viewing versus a forward-viewing echoendoscope with emphasis on ease of endoscopic drainage.

Design: Multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Four tertiary-care referral centers.

Patients: This study involved 58 patients with PFCs.

Intervention: Patients with PFCs (≥ 6 cm) in whom drainage was indicated were randomized to receive EUS-guided drainage with a forward-viewing echoendoscope or an oblique-viewing echoendoscope. In cases of failed drainage, patients were crossed over to the other study arm.

Main outcome measurements: Ease of EUS-guided drainage measured by procedure time. Secondary endpoints included technical success, EUS endoscope preference, clinical success, and adverse events.

Results: Fifty-eight consecutive patients underwent randomization, of whom 52 were available for primary endpoint analysis. All 26 EUS-guided procedures done with the oblique-viewing echoendoscope and 24 of the 26 procedures done with the forward-viewing echoendoscope were technically successful. Mean (± standard deviation) procedure time was 24:55 ± 9:58 minutes in the forward-viewing echoendoscope group and 27:04 ± 9:58 minutes in the oblique-viewing echoendoscope group (P = .44). Median overall procedure ease was graded as equal (easy) in both groups. Drainage-related adverse events occurred in 2 patients (8%) in the forward-viewing echoendoscope group versus none in the oblique-viewing echoendoscope group (P = .56). Overall clinical success was achieved in 82% of patients (95% confidence interval, 69%-91%).

Limitations: Derived main outcome parameter and highly specialized endoscopists in tertiary-care referral centers.

Conclusion: This multicenter, randomized, controlled trial comparing the performance of oblique-viewing echoendoscopes and forward-viewing echoendoscopes in draining PFCs did not show a difference in ease of EUS-guided drainage or procedure safety and efficacy between the forward-viewing echoendoscope and the oblique-viewing echoendoscope. Clinical success was achieved in 82% of patients.