EUS 2008 Working Group document: evaluation of EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy

Drainage of a biliary obstruction can be accomplished in several ways: (1) placement of an internal biliary stent at ERCP, (2) placement of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage catheter (PTBD), and (3) surgical anastomosis (ie, hepaticogastrostomy or choledochojejunostomy). Recently, the role of EUS was evaluated in several studies as an alternative treatment modality for the management of patients with obstructive jaundice. This section of the EUS 2008 Working Group Proceedings evaluates the current evidence and potential role of EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy in the management of patients with obstructive jaundice.