Information about ERCP
What is ERCP?
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a specialised technique used to study the ducts or ‘drainage tubes’ of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver.
During the procedure a thin, flexible tube with a video camera at the tip will be passed through your mouth, into the oesophagus (throat) and stomach and then into the first part of the small intestine. This is the area of the bowel where the ‘drainage tubes’ (bile duct and pancreatic duct) connect onto the bowel. A small plastic instrument will then be placed through the endoscope and passed into the bile duct and/or the pancreatic duct and x-ray dye injected in order to obtain a picture of these ducts. Sometimes a small cut is made into the muscle surrounding the opening to the bile duct (sphincterotomy) in order to allow better drainage of the bile duct or to perform other procedures e.g. remove stones, biopsy, place stents (drainage tubes) or stretch narrowing of the bile duct.
What preparation is required?
You should not eat or drink at least six hours before the procedure to make sure you have an empty stomach, which is necessary for a safe examination.
Generally, you should take all your regular medications with a sip of water even on the morning of the procedure. However, if you are taking blood thinning medications (such as aspirin, persantin, warfarin or plavix), your doctor will need to discuss whether these should still be taken in the weeks before the procedure. Let your doctor know about any allergies you have to medications (especially antibiotics), iodine or intravenous contrast material. If you are diabetic you doctor will need to make special arrangements to ensure that your blood sugar is managed well around the time of the procedure. X-rays are used as part of the procedure. Therefore, it is essential to tell your doctor if you could be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.
What can I expect during ERCP?
You will receive an intravenous sedative to make you more comfortable. Some patients also receive antibiotics before the procedure. The back of your throat will be sprayed with local anaesthetic to make it numb, and a small mouth guard may be put between your teeth to stop you from biting the endoscope. If you have false teeth (dentures) they will be removed before the procedure. The doctor and medical staff monitor your vital signs during the procedure and will try to make you as comfortable as possible. You will lie on your left side or stomach on an x-ray table. Most people remember little or none of the procedure. The instrument does not interfere with breathing, but you might feel a bloating sensation because of the air introduced through the instrument. If you have a pacemaker (internal defibrillator) special precautions may be needed during the procedure.
What are the risks of ERCP?
ERCP is a safe and well tolerated procedure when performed by doctors who are trained and experienced in the technique. Although complications requiring hospitalisation can occur, they are uncommon.
Risks vary, depending on why the test is performed, what is found during the procedure, what therapeutic intervention is undertaken, and whether a patient has major medical problems. Pancreatitis is the most frequent serious complication and causes pain in the abdomen. It is usually mild and settles within a couple of days in hospital with pain relief, bowel rest and intravenous fluids. However, occasionally pancreatitis can be more severe, and rarely it can even result in death. Since the risks vary with each patient you should have a detailed conversation with your doctor about the risks to you.
What can I expect after ERCP?
If you have an ERCP as a day procedure you will be observed in the endoscopy unit until most of the effects of the medications have worn off. You might experience bloating or pass wind because of the air introduced during the examination. Someone must accompany you home from the procedure because of the sedatives used during the examination. Ideally, a responsible adult should stay with you overnight. Even if you feel alert after the procedure, the sedatives can affect your judgement and reflexes for the rest of the day.
You must not drive until the next day.
Contact the Endoscopy Unit or the hospital promptly if you are experiencing any problems after the procedure. The main complication after going home is pancreatitis, which can occasionally occur up to 48 hours after the procedure. This causes severe pain in the abdomen. Occasionally an infection can occur, which may cause pain, fevers or chills. If a sphincterotomy was performed there is a small chance of bleeding. This can occur up to 3 weeks after the procedure. Symptoms of bleeding include dizziness, fainting or passing blood or black bowel movements. If any of these symptoms occur you should go to the Emergency Department.
Who can I contact if I have any questions?
You will be given an opportunity to ask questions prior to your procedure and before you sign the consent form.
If you have any problem understanding or reading any of this information, please contact the Endoscopy Unit staff on 570 9191.
