Abstract:Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of direct versus double‑balloon occlusion in endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS‑GE) for benign and malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Methods Clinical data of patients with GOO who underwent EUS-GE at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between April 2017 and July 2024 were analyzed in a retrospectively cohort study. The patients were divided into the direct technique group (n=36) and the double-balloon occlusion technique group (n=105). The technical success rate, clinical success rate, procedure time, postoperative stay, stent replacement rate, and incidence of adverse events were compared between the two groups. Results The technical success rates of the two groups were comparable, 97.2% (35/36) and 94.3% (99/105) (χ2=0.065, P=0.798), so were the clinical success rates, 94.4% (34/36) and 86.7% (91/105) (χ2=0.932, P=0.334). However, the direct technique group demonstrated significantly shorter procedure time and postoperative stay compared to the double-balloon occlusion group [33.4 (23.2, 42.3) min VS 43.4 (31.7, 63.1) min, Z=-3.057, P=0.002; 4.0 (3.00, 5.75) days VS 6.0 (5.00, 9.00) days, Z=-4.031, P<0.001]. Adverse event rates [11.1% (4/36) VS 11.4% (12/105), χ2<0.001, P=1.000] and stent replacement rates [5.6% (2/36) VS 9.5% (10/105), χ2=0.152, P=0.696] showed no significant differences. Conclusion Both EUS-GE techniques achieve comparable efficacy and safety for GOO. However, the direct technique showed significant advantages over the double-balloon occlusion technique in terms of shorter procedure time and reduced postoperative hospital stay.