ERCP

During a typical ERCP

You will be given pain medication and a sedative. Your doctor will insert an endoscope into your mouth and through your esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first part of the small intestine) until it reaches the biliary papilla/sphincter.

Depending on what your doctor finds, he or she may perform therapeutic procedures such as removing a gallstone that may be obstructing your duct, dilating (opening) a narrowed duct or taking a tissue sample (biopsy) to test for cancer or other diseases.

Are there any risks to an ERCP?

As with any medical procedure, there are risks and you should talk to your doctor about what they are. Your doctor will be able to explain the risks and answer any questions you may have.

Potential complications with an ERCP may include but are not limited to: pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), infection, bleeding and perforation of the duodenum.

Recovery period for an ERCP

Recovery times may vary, depending on the disease being treated. An ERCP can take 30 minutes to 2 hours. You should be able to go home the same day; however, if there are complications, you may be instructed to stay overnight.

This reference text contains information about a specific procedure and is provided by Boston Scientific Corporation for reference only. Please talk to your doctor about complete procedural information, potential risks, and questions you may have.

References

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), Colonoscopy. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ercp/index/htm accessed 1/08/07, Updated November 2004. Pub#05-4336