EUS-guided biliary drainage (EGBD) can be performed via direct transluminal or rendezvous techniques. It is unknown how both techniques compare in terms of efficacy and adverse events.

To describe outcomes of EGBD performed by using a standardized approach and compare outcomes of rendezvous and transluminal techniques.

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Two tertiary-care centers.

Consecutive jaundiced patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EGBD after failed ERCP between July 2006 and December 2012 were included.

EGBD by using a standardized algorithm.

Technical success, clinical success, and adverse events.

During the study period, 35 patients underwent EGBD (rendezvous n = 13, transluminal n = 20). Technical success was achieved in 33 patients (94%), and clinical success was attained in 32 of 33 patients (97.0%). The mean postprocedure bilirubin level was 1.38 mg/dL in the rendezvous group and 1.33 mg/dL in the transluminal group (P = .88). Similarly, length of hospital stay was not different between groups (P = .23). There was no significant difference in adverse event rate between rendezvous and transluminal groups (15.4% vs 10%; P = .64). Long-term outcomes were comparable between groups, with 1 stent migration in the rendezvous group at 62 days and 1 stent occlusion in the transluminal group at 42 days after EGBD.

Retrospective analysis, small number of patients, and selection bias.

EGBD is safe and effective when the described standardized approach is used. Stent occlusion is not common during long-term follow-up. Both rendezvous and direct transluminal techniques seem to be equally effective and safe. The latter approach is a reasonable alternative to rendezvous EGBD.