Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
ERCP is a procedure used to diagnose the disease of the bile duct, pancreatic duct, and gall bladder. ERCP procedure is performed by using a long flexible endoscope and x ray (fluoroscopy) under IV anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Bile ducts are tubes that carry bile from the liver to the duodenum and gall bladder and the pancreatic duct carries pancreatic juice to the small intestine both bile duct and pancreatic duct join and form a common tube and open in the duodenum.
ERCP is used primarily to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts and main pancreatic duct
- For removal of bile duct stone (Stone primarily formed in gall bladder)
- Cholangitis (infection in bile duct)
- Chronic pancreatitis pain, pancreatic duct stone and pancreatic duct stricture
- Cancer of gall bladder, bile duct and pancreas
- Trauma and surgical complication of bile duct and pancreatic duct.
- Drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst.
Pt requires fasting from midnight or 8 hrs before ERCPPt should take blood pressure medicine if already on medicine Pt has to stop blood thinner medicine (like aspirin or Acitrom) 5 days before ERCP During ERCP procedure health care staff gives you anesthesia and monitor your vitals After ERCP, pt is asked to stay for 4 to 6 hrs in hospital till anesthesia effect goesSome time pt kept in hospital for 24 hrs for observation.
An ERCP is considered a low-risk procedure; however, rarely complications can occur These can include pancreatitis, infections, bowel perforation, and bleeding ERCP is generally safe when carried in expert hands. Each endoscopic procedure may have very rare complication like bleeding or intestinal perforationWhich may requires hospital admission and further procedure for perforationAfter sedation pt is advised to take rest for 4 hrs and not to drive or machinery work for that day (at least 24 hrs).