Refinement of ERCP by using the Olympus V-scope system with a 0.025 in. compatible and complete fixable Visiglide® guidewire

AimProspective evaluation of the new 0.025 in. Visiglide® guidewire to facilitate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography using the Olympus V-scope.Materials and methodsInterventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography was performed in 9 patients with the Olympus V-scope and the 0.025 in. Visiglide® guidewire (VS group), whilst 9 other patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography with a conventional Olympus duodenoscope using 0.035 in. conventional guidewires (controls). Exchange time of accessories, X-ray time, dose and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography examination time were investigated.ResultsThe VS group showed a significantly lower exchange time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography accessories (9; 4–10 s, p < 0.0001) than controls (29; 19–44 s). The Visiglide® guidewire was complete fixable by the elevator in 35/36 instrument exchanges (97%) compared to 16/31 exchanges (52%) using conventional guidewires.LimitationsSingle-centre study, small patient numbers, two investigators.ConclusionsEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography using the Olympus V-scope with the new 0.025 in. Visiglide® guidewire enables a 3-fold faster exchange of accessories due to a nearly complete fixation of the guidewire.