# Utility of a novel tapered-tip sheath system for preoperative mapping biopsy of biliary tract cancers

## TL;DR

A new tapered-tip sheath system improves preoperative mapping biopsies for biliary tract cancers compared to traditional methods.

## Contribution

Introduces a novel tapered-tip sheath system for more effective preoperative cancer mapping.

## Key findings

- The new system had higher technical success rates (73.3% vs. 48.4%) and faster biopsy times (11.4 vs. 23.5 minutes).
- It obtained more specimens per procedure (median 6 vs. 3) and improved appropriate tissue sampling (86.1% vs. 67.2%).
- The system showed a slightly higher AE rate (2.1% vs. 0%) but better negative surgical margin rates (90.4% vs. 78.6%).

## Abstract

Preoperative evaluation of biliary tract cancer progression plays a critical role in assessing resectability and in selecting the appropriate surgical procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of a novel tapered-tip sheath system for mapping biopsy to assess the extent of biliary tract cancer.

This observational, comparative study included 32 patients who were diagnosed with biliary tract cancers and underwent mapping biopsies with the novel tapered-tip sheath system and 21 patients using the conventional methods before the period. Technical success, total biopsy time, number of biopsy specimens, appropriate tissue sampling, adverse events (AEs), and negative surgical margin in case of surgical resection were evaluated.

The following were the respective results for the novel system and conventional methods
groups: technical success rates, 73.3% and 48.4% (
P
= 0.027);
total biopsy times, 11.4 and 23.5 minutes (
P
= 0.043); median
number of specimens obtained per procedure, 6 and 3 (
P
<
0.001); appropriate tissue sampling rates, 86.1% and 67.2% (
P
< 0.001); AE rates, 2.1% and 0%; and negative surgical margin rates, 90.4% and
78.6%.

Preoperative mapping biopsy using the novel tapered-tip sheath system is a promising option for assessing the extent of biliary tract cancers.