Fistulotomy as the Primary Cannulation Technique for All Patients Undergoing ERCP: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

Participants in this study will be undergoing a procedure called an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This procedure is most commonly performed to help treat conditions affecting specific areas of the digestive system called the pancreas and bile ducts.

Patients will consent to allow the study physician to access these areas of the digestive system by either making a cut called a needle-knife fistulotomy or a sphincterotomy.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Biliary Tract Diseases; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Needle knife fistulotomy; Procedure: Sphincterotomy

Detailed Description

The ERCP procedure enables the study doctor to examine regions of the digestive system called the pancreas and bile ducts. After a patient is sedated, a bendable tube with a light (called an endoscope), is inserted through the mouth and into the digestive system. Within the digestive system, the doctor is able to identify the opening to where the gallbladder drains into the small bowel called the ampulla. Using the endoscope, a small plastic tube is then placed in the opening and dye (also called contrast material) is injected into the bile duct (area where bile leaves the liver). X-ray pictures can then be taken to provide further information to the doctor.

During the procedure, it is necessary to make a cut to enlarge the opening to allow easier removal of stones from the bile duct or to place plastic tubes (stents) in the bile duct. To make this cut, there are two different approaches that the doctor can take:

1. The standard way of making the cut is referred to as a "sphincterotomy". Using this method, a heated metal wire cuts the opening to the bile duct after a wire has been passed into it.
2. The second way of making the cut is referred to as a "pre-cut". There are various types of "pre-cut" techniques; the technique being evaluated in this study is called the "needle knife fistulotomy". When using this technique, the doctor makes a cut directly into the bile duct using a tiny knife called a "needle knife".

Currently, the doctor determines which cutting technique to use. The decision is entirely up to the individual doctor.

The purpose of this study, called a randomized, controlled trial, is to compare the safety and effectiveness of the two different approaches to the ERCP.

This type of study involves a large number of participants and the results may answer the question as to which approach should be used for patients having the ERCP procedure. The results may change the standard way that doctors conduct this procedure.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 538
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Melinda Allen; Phone Number: 3385 613-544-3400; Email: melinda.allen@kingstonhsc.ca
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Robert Bechara, MD; Phone Number: 3369 613-544-3400; Email: robert.bechara@kingstonhsc.ca

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 5G2
      • Recruiting
      • Kingston Health Sciences Centre
      • Contact: Jackie McKay; Phone Number: 613-544-3400; Email: jackie.mckay@kingstonhsc.ca

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients, greater than, or equal to 18 years of age, with an intact sphincter undergoing ERCP by at Kingston Health Sciences Center for therapeutic purposes who can provide informed consent. This includes patients who have confirmed choledocholithiasis on imaging and those who have a high suspicion of it based on imaging and lab values. Patients with and without a high suspicion for cholangitis will be eligible for the study. Other indications include: other benign biliary duct diseases including strictures, primary sclerosing cholangitis and Mirizzi's syndrome requiring biliary decompression. Furthermore, patients with suspected diagnosis of biliary leak following cholecystectomy will also be considered for enrollment in this study.
2. Ability to read and understand the English language,
3. Ability to follow-up in a reliable manner.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Bleeding disorder (Von Willebrand disorder, platelet count <100 000, or INR >1.5),
2. Therapeutic level anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), warfarin, or a direct-acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC),
3. P2Y12 inhibitors not held for 5 days prior to the procedure,
4. Prior biliary sphincterotomy,
5. Concurrent pancreatitis (with inability to tolerate oral intake and requiring pain management),
6. Altered upper GI tract anatomy (e.g. prior gastric bypass surgery such as Roux-en-Y or Billroth 2 gastrojejunostomy),
7. Inability to achieve adequate sedation,
8. Evidence of malignant infiltration of the ampulla or peri-ampullary area,
9. Pregnancy,
10. Operator inability to access and identify intra-duodenal portion of the bile duct,
11. Presumptive diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction,
12. Inability to access intraduodenal segment due to altered anatomy (eg. ampulla within deep diverticulum),
13. Requirement for pancreatogram or pancreatic intervention,
14. Inability to provide informed consent.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Needle Knife Fistulotomy; The study doctor will gain access to the bile ducts using the cutting technique called a needle knife fistulotomy. When using this technique, the study doctor makes a cut directly into the bile duct.	Procedure: Needle knife fistulotomy; A needle knife fistulotomy uses a tiny knife to cut directly into the ampulla to gain access to the biliary system in patients undergoing ERCP.
Active Comparator: Sphincterotomy; The study doctor will gain access to the bile ducts using the cutting technique called a sphincterotomy. Using this method, a heated metal wire cuts the opening to the bile duct after a wire has been passed into it.	Procedure: Sphincterotomy; A sphincterotomy uses a heated metal wire to cut the opening to the bile duct after a wire has been passed into it.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Post-ERCP pancreatitis	The primary objective to be examined is the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis.	Up to 7 days

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Cannulation Success Rate	Rate of successful cannulation of the common bile duct, with technical success determined by a cholangiogram.	Day 0
Inspection Time	Inspection time of the ampulla, defined as the visualization of the ampulla to the appearance of the needle knife or sphinctertome.	Day 0
Time to successful cannulation	For the sphincterotomy group, time to successful cannulation is defined as time of endoscopic visualization of the sphinctertome on the screen to contact with the papilla orifice. For the NKF group, this is defined as the time of endoscopic visualization of the metal point of the needle knife on the screen to successful cannulation of the common bile duct as evident by the cholangiogram or wire advancement into the common bile duct.	Day 0
Total procedure time	Total procedure time is measured for completed procedures from the time of esophageal intubation to the time of scope withdrawal from the patient mouth.	Day 0
Ampullary morphology	The type of ampulla, as determined by the study doctor.	Day 0
Difficulty of cannulation	Difficulty of cannulation, as graded on a 3-point scale, based on the study doctor's subjective opinion.	Day 0
Incidence of complications	Incidence of complications, notably intraprocedural bleeding that required intervention, delayed or sustained bleeding requiring transfusion or repeat endoscopy, and immediate or delayed perforation.	Up to 7 days

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Queen's University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Robert Bechara, MD, Queen's University

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Cotton PB, Lehman G, Vennes J, Geenen JE, Russell RC, Meyers WC, Liguory C, Nickl N. Endoscopic sphincterotomy complications and their management: an attempt at consensus. Gastrointest Endosc. 1991 May-Jun;37(3):383-93. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5107(91)70740-2.
• Freeman ML, Nelson DB, Sherman S, Haber GB, Herman ME, Dorsher PJ, Moore JP, Fennerty MB, Ryan ME, Shaw MJ, Lande JD, Pheley AM. Complications of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy. N Engl J Med. 1996 Sep 26;335(13):909-18. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199609263351301.
• Banks PA, Bollen TL, Dervenis C, Gooszen HG, Johnson CD, Sarr MG, Tsiotos GG, Vege SS; Acute Pancreatitis Classification Working Group. Classification of acute pancreatitis--2012: revision of the Atlanta classification and definitions by international consensus. Gut. 2013 Jan;62(1):102-11. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2012-302779. Epub 2012 Oct 25.
• Buxbaum J, Yan A, Yeh K, Lane C, Nguyen N, Laine L. Aggressive hydration with lactated Ringer's solution reduces pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Feb;12(2):303-7.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.07.026. Epub 2013 Aug 3.
• Davee T, Garcia JA, Baron TH. Precut sphincterotomy for selective biliary duct cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Ann Gastroenterol. 2012;25(4):291-302.
• Robison LS, Varadarajulu S, Wilcox CM. Safety and success of precut biliary sphincterotomy: Is it linked to experience or expertise? World J Gastroenterol. 2007 Apr 21;13(15):2183-6. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v13.i15.2183.
• Andrade-Davila VF, Chavez-Tostado M, Davalos-Cobian C, Garcia-Correa J, Montano-Loza A, Fuentes-Orozco C, Macias-Amezcua MD, Garcia-Renteria J, Rendon-Felix J, Cortes-Lares JA, Ambriz-Gonzalez G, Cortes-Flores AO, Alvarez-Villasenor Adel S, Gonzalez-Ojeda A. Rectal indomethacin versus placebo to reduce the incidence of pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: results of a controlled clinical trial. BMC Gastroenterol. 2015 Jul 21;15:85. doi: 10.1186/s12876-015-0314-2.
• Shaygan-Nejad A, Masjedizadeh AR, Ghavidel A, Ghojazadeh M, Khoshbaten M. Aggressive hydration with Lactated Ringer's solution as the prophylactic intervention for postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: A randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial. J Res Med Sci. 2015 Sep;20(9):838-43. doi: 10.4103/1735-1995.170597.
• Cavallini G, Tittobello A, Frulloni L, Masci E, Mariana A, Di Francesco V. Gabexate for the prevention of pancreatic damage related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Gabexate in digestive endoscopy--Italian Group. N Engl J Med. 1996 Sep 26;335(13):919-23. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199609263351302.
• Manes G, Ardizzone S, Lombardi G, Uomo G, Pieramico O, Porro GB. Efficacy of postprocedure administration of gabexate mesylate in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a randomized, controlled, multicenter study. Gastrointest Endosc. 2007 Jun;65(7):982-7. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2007.02.055.
• Andriulli A, Clemente R, Solmi L, Terruzzi V, Suriani R, Sigillito A, Leandro G, Leo P, De Maio G, Perri F. Gabexate or somatostatin administration before ERCP in patients at high risk for post-ERCP pancreatitis: a multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002 Oct;56(4):488-95. doi: 10.1067/mge.2002.128130.
• Andriulli A, Solmi L, Loperfido S, Leo P, Festa V, Belmonte A, Spirito F, Silla M, Forte G, Terruzzi V, Marenco G, Ciliberto E, Sabatino A, Monica F, Magnolia MR, Perri F. Prophylaxis of ERCP-related pancreatitis: a randomized, controlled trial of somatostatin and gabexate mesylate. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004 Aug;2(8):713-8. doi: 10.1016/s1542-3565(04)00295-2.
• Yuhara H, Ogawa M, Kawaguchi Y, Igarashi M, Shimosegawa T, Mine T. Pharmacologic prophylaxis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: protease inhibitors and NSAIDs in a meta-analysis. J Gastroenterol. 2014 Mar;49(3):388-99. doi: 10.1007/s00535-013-0834-x. Epub 2013 May 30.
• Katsinelos P, Gkagkalis S, Chatzimavroudis G, Beltsis A, Terzoudis S, Zavos C, Gatopoulou A, Lazaraki G, Vasiliadis T, Kountouras J. Comparison of three types of precut technique to achieve common bile duct cannulation: a retrospective analysis of 274 cases. Dig Dis Sci. 2012 Dec;57(12):3286-92. doi: 10.1007/s10620-012-2271-8. Epub 2012 Jun 20.
• Sundaralingam P, Masson P, Bourke MJ. Early Precut Sphincterotomy Does Not Increase Risk During Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients With Difficult Biliary Access: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Oct;13(10):1722-1729.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2015.06.035. Epub 2015 Jul 2.
• Ayoubi M, Sansoe G, Leone N, Castellino F. Comparison between needle-knife fistulotomy and standard cannulation in ERCP. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2012 Sep 16;4(9):398-404. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v4.i9.398.
• Jin YJ, Jeong S, Lee DH. Utility of needle-knife fistulotomy as an initial method of biliary cannulation to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in a highly selected at-risk group: a single-arm prospective feasibility study. Gastrointest Endosc. 2016 Nov;84(5):808-813. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2016.04.011. Epub 2016 Apr 19.
• Lopes L, Dinis-Ribeiro M, Rolanda C. Early precut fistulotomy for biliary access: time to change the paradigm of "the later, the better"? Gastrointest Endosc. 2014 Oct;80(4):634-641. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2014.03.014. Epub 2014 May 6.
• Hookey L, Rai M, Bechara R. Fistulotomy versus standard cannulation as the primary technique for all patients undergoing ERCP with a native papilla: a protocol for a single center randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2022 Feb 16;23(1):153. doi: 10.1186/s13063-022-06084-4.
• ASGE Standards of Practice Committee; Chandrasekhara V, Khashab MA, Muthusamy VR, Acosta RD, Agrawal D, Bruining DH, Eloubeidi MA, Fanelli RD, Faulx AL, Gurudu SR, Kothari S, Lightdale JR, Qumseya BJ, Shaukat A, Wang A, Wani SB, Yang J, DeWitt JM. Adverse events associated with ERCP. Gastrointest Endosc. 2017 Jan;85(1):32-47. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2016.06.051. Epub 2016 Aug 18. No abstract available.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 10, 2020
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): September 10, 2025
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 10, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 16, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): September 23, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 3, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 29, 2023
• Last Verified: April 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Sphincterotomy; Post-ERCP pancreatitis; Needle Knife Fistulotomy
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Biliary Tract Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: 6029074

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No