Spanish Registry of Direct Cholangiopancreatoscopy by Single Operator

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remain fundamental tools for the diagnosis and treatment of many pancreatobiliary diseases. However, there are situations in which these procedures face limitations, such as the evaluation of indeterminate ductal strictures or the management of complex choledocholithiasis. Direct visualization of the biliary and pancreatic ducts has proven to be a useful and effective alternative in such cases. It also has a safety profile comparable to conventional ERCP, with only a slight increase in the incidence of adverse events. Nevertheless, due to the associated increase in costs, most centers have adopted a stepwise approach in their diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms, using this technique only after multiple ERCPs. Although the evidence is still limited, recent studies suggest that early use of direct cholangiopancreatoscopy could be a cost-effective strategy due to its increased efficacy. In this regard, collecting data on direct cholangiopancreatoscopy would be of interest to generate robust conclusions on cost-effectiveness in routine clinical practice. This study aims to objectively assess the real-world use of direct cholangiopancreatoscopy in our setting, with the goal of confirming technical aspects, efficacy, and safety, and ultimately conducting cost-effectiveness evaluations to determine the optimal point in the algorithm at which this technique should be introduced.