EUS BD vs ERCP TP for Pancreatic Cancer

Obstructive jaundice is the most common symptom in patients with periampullary cancer and cancer of the pancreatic head. For patients with unresectable tumors, palliation of malignant obstructive is traditionally achieved using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with transpapillary (TP) stent placement. Data show that ERCP is equivalent to surgery with regards to relief of jaundice. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) offer prolonged palliation compared to large-bore (10Fr) plastic stents. However, it is believed that gastric outlet obstruction occurs more commonly in patients who have received SEMS for palliation of MOJ. In addition, ERCP is associated with adverse events including pancreatitis, post-sphincterotomy bleeding, and perforation. More recently endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage has been described for biliary drainage in patients with malignant distal bile duct obstruction. Thus far it has been used as a rescue approach when traditional ERCP-guided transpapillary biliary drainage ERCP fails. TP failure can occur as a result of duodenal obstruction, failed cannulation, and failed wire access across the stricture. Potential advantages of EUS-guided biliary drainage include avoidance of pancreatitis and post-sphincterotomy bleeding. Additionally, it may result in a lower frequency of gastric outlet obstruction since the stent does not encroach upon the tumor. To compare the potential advantages of EUS-guided biliary drainage the investigators are conducting a multicenter, randomized trial comparing the EUS-guided drainage to traditional ERCP. This EUS-BD vs. ERCP-TP-trial (BILPAL) is a randomized controlled multicenter trial that will provide evidence whether or not traditional ERCP biliary drainage is to be performed in patients with obstruction in bile duct due to unresectable pancreatic head or periampullary tumor. This study will enroll 120 subjects; 60 subjects in each arm. Trial duration is about 1 year and involves 5-7 visits.