Ep. 576 Biliary Endoscopy Techniques: Managing Strictures & Drains with Dr. Ahsun Riaz

BackTable Vascular & Interventional

So you’ve placed the biliary drain—are your patients getting the follow up that they need? In this episode, Dr. Ahsun Riaz from Northwestern University joins host, Dr. Christopher Beck, for a deep dive into biliary strictures—how to manage them effectively and navigate the potential complications of this challenging chronic condition.
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This podcast is supported by:
Medtronic Emprint
https://www.medtronic.com/emprint
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SYNPOSIS
Dr. Riaz takes us inside his journey of building a specialized hepatobiliary service at Northwestern, highlighting innovative practices like endoscopic techniques and radiofrequency ablation. He unpacks the nuances of distinguishing benign from malignant strictures, shares technical pearls for patient management, and emphasizes the power of collaboration with Gastroenterology to improve long-term patient outcomes. He outlines key technical considerations, including the use of the Hudson loop and strategic equipment selection to address intra-procedural challenges. He further emphasizes the importance of comprehensive patient care—ensuring appropriate follow-up, minimizing drain duration, and prioritizing quality of life as essential components of optimal management.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
01:28 - Biliary Drain Management
04:18 - Approach to Biliary Strictures
19:20 - Endoscopic Evaluation and Techniques
27:53 - Practical Tips and Experiences with Endoscopy
30:39 - Post-Procedure Follow-Up and Patient Outcomes
31:16 - Learning from the Hudson Roof Technique
32:48 - Innovations in Benign Stricture Management
36:48 - Endobiliary Ablation: Equipment and Procedure
40:23 - The Double Dragon Technique Explained
46:02 - Considerations for Malignant Biliary Stenting
52:37 - Future Innovations and Collaborative Care