Therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound for Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Multicenter Registry Study

Our tertiary-care institution performs clinically-indicated therapeutic Endoscopic Ultrasound (TEUS) guided interventions, including biliary and pancreatic drainage, for both malignant and benign gastrointestinal indications in more than 2000 patients annually. Procedures such as biliary and/or pancreatic sphincterotomy, stents placement (metallic or plastic) and removal for revision, cysts and pseudocysts drainage are conducted in patients suffering from pancreatico-biliary disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and esophageal disorders. TEUS procedures are less invasive approach than surgery. Moreover, they can be available to patients who are ineligible for surgery or who have refused more aggressive surgical intervention. They improve quality of life and extend survival duration. Currently, there is limited multi-center data on therapeutic endoscopy clinical outcomes and standardized treatment algorithms in western populations. Due to continuing variations in therapeutic EUS procedures, as well as introduction of some TEUS procedure accessories; it is necessary to periodically evaluate the efficacy and safety of specific TEUS procedures and accessories for several indications to check for improved clinical outcomes. Evaluation of these clinical details would help us compare them to conventional treatment modalities within our current facility and scope of practice; and consequently, help us identify safe and cost-effective treatment techniques, develop treatment algorithms and improve clinical management of patients at RWJMS and other tertiary-care centers.