Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Biliary Drainage

The therapeutic role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has continued to evolve in recent years. EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) can be performed as an effective alternative to percutaneous drainage or surgical options when conventional Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography fails or is not possible. Depending on the access and exit routes of the stent, multiple approaches to EUS-BD have been proposed. Each patient should receive an individualized approach based on the patient's condition, anatomy, and endoscopist's experience, with an appropriate backup prepared. In high-volume centers, the cumulative success rate has been reported to be over 90%. However, the reported overall complication rate remains relatively high at 10-30%. Further studies are necessary to better understand the long-term results and standardize EUS-BD, including appropriate indications and optimal approach.