Novel J-tip guidewire for reintervention after stent-by-stent placement in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction

Reintervention (RI) after bilateral metal stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction is a highly technically challenging procedure. This study aimed to examine the use of a novel J-tip guidewire (GW) for RI after stent-by-stent (SBS) placement. The study outcomes included technical success, procedure time, and procedure-related adverse events (AEs) associated with RI after SBS placement. These parameters were compared between 20 patients who underwent RI using the J-tip GW (J-GW group) and a control cohort of 20 patients who underwent RI using a conventional GW (C-GW group). The technical success rate for GW placement without any advanced technique was significantly higher in the J-GW group than in the C-GW group. The median procedure time was significantly shorter in the J-GW group. No significant differences in the procedure-related AE rate were observed between the groups. The novel J-tip GW yielded higher technical success rates with appropriate GW placement and shorter procedure time for RI after SBS placement, simplifying and streamlining the RI procedure.