Tawfik Khoury et al. Endoscopic ultrasound- versus ERCP-guided primary drainage of
inoperable malignant distal biliary obstruction: systematic review and meta-analysis
of randomized controlled trials
The authors performed a systematic review and meta-analysis, including 5 RCTs and
519 patients, comparing EUS-guided biliary drainage vs. ERCP for primary drainage
in inoperable malignant distal biliary obstruction. Technical success, clinical success,
1-year stent patency, and adverse events were similar between the two groups, but
the reintervention rate was lower in the EUS-guided drainage group. In subgroup analysis,
EUS-guided drainage with a lumen-apposing metal stent had a higher technical success
rate than ERCP.
