A Trial of 0.025 Wire Guided Cannulation Versus Current Practice 0.035 Wire Guided Cannulation

Cannulation of the bile duct is a prerequisite to successful therapeutic biliary endoscopy. Cannulation itself can carry substantial risk to the patient. Acute pancreatitis following ERCP can occur up to 5% of cases. The risk increases in patients with non dilated bile ducts, young age, known past history of pancreatitis and suspected sphincter of oddi dysfunction. During the procedure of ERCP, the number of pancreatograms also correlates with incidence of post ERCP pancreatitis. Hydrostatic pressure by contrast injection into the pancreatic duct may be the principal cause of pancreatitis. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared the technique of contrast guided to wire guide cannulation in achieving bile duct cannulation during ERCP and found that wire guide cannulation was better at the prevention of post ERCP pancreatitis. The use of a guide wire obviates the need for contrast injection. The current standard is the use of a 0.035" guidewire with a hydrophilic tip. We now postulate that the use of a 0.025" further reduces post-ERCP pancreatitis as a finer wire theoretically induces less trauma to the pancreatic orifice.