Guidelines Favor Single-Operator Cholangioscopy for Biliary Strictures and Stones

Researchers conducted a systematic review to develop clinical practice guidelines on the use of single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) as a diagnostic and therapeutic alternative for indeterminate biliary strictures and difficult biliary stones. The guidelines recommend SOC with stricture pattern characterization for adult patients with indeterminate biliary strictures, and SOC over endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with large-balloon dilation of papilla for adult patients with difficult biliary stones. Further research is needed on the economic implications and implementation of SOC intervention in local contexts.