Recent progress and current status of pancreatobiliary interventional endoscopic ultrasound in children

Abstract

In recent years, the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been recognized in children. A dedicated pediatric EUS scope has not been developed; in our experience, however, an adult EUS scope can be used. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Technical Committee status assessment report on pediatric endoscopy equipment provides some guidance on the feasibility of EUS according to body size. Careful monitoring is required, keeping in mind potential adverse events such as cervical esophageal perforation and unstable breathing due to tracheal compression. Most devices designed for interventional pancreatobiliary endoscopy are also available for children. Sedation or intubated general anesthesia (GA) is mandatory when performing interventional EUS (I‐EUS). I‐EUS for children is generally performed using GA in the operating room, but sedation in the endoscopy room is also possible under appropriate monitoring by pediatricians. I‐EUS in the operating room is sometimes difficult for endoscopists to perform because of the unsuitable fluoroscopic imaging and the lack of familiar equipment and staff. Compared to GA, sedation in the endoscopy room facilitates easier and quicker repetition of procedures when necessary. Adult pancreatobiliary endoscopists perform most I‐EUS procedures in the pediatric population because most pediatric endoscopists have few opportunities to perform EUS‐related procedures and thus have difficulty maintaining their skills. To popularize I‐EUS techniques for children, it will be necessary to establish a training program for developing pediatric endoscopists.