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Endoscopic
retrograde cholangiopancreatography
(ERCP) is performed by using
x-rays in combination with a
long, flexible, lighted viewing
instrument (duodenoscope) about
the diameter of a pen. Through
the duodenoscope, the physician
can see the inside of the stomach
and duodenum, and inject dyes
into the bile ducts so that the
pancreas, gall bladder, liver,
and small
intestine can be seen on x rays. enables the physician to diagnose
problems in the liver, gallbladder,
bile ducts, and pancreas. The
duodenoscope is flexible and
can be directed and moved around
the many bends of the stomach
and intestine.
ERCP is used primarily to diagnose
and treat conditions of the
bile ducts including:
- Gallstones
- Inflammatory strictures
(scars)
- Leaks (from trauma
and surgery)
- Cancer
Your stomach and
duodenum must
be empty for the
procedure to
be accurate and safe.
You
will
not be able
to eat or drink anything
after midnight
the night before
the procedure,
or for 6 to 8 hours
beforehand,
depending
on
the time of
your procedure. Your
physician may
give
you other
special instructions
as well.
During the
procedure,with
the patient
lying on
his/her left
side, the
physician places a mouthpiece
in the patient’s
mouth.
The physician
then inserts
a duodenoscope
into the
mouth, through
the esophagus,
the
stomach,
and the duodenum,
until it
reaches
the spot
where the
bile ducts
open into
the small
intestine.
At this time,
the
patient
is turned
to lie flat on
the stomach,
and the physician
passes
a small plastic
tube through
the duodenoscope.
Through the
tube,
the physician
will inject
a dye
into the
ducts to make them
show up
clearly
on x rays.
X rays are
taken
as soon
as the
dye is injected.
 If the exam
shows a
gallstone or
narrowing
of the
ducts, the physician
can insert
instruments
into the
scope
to
remove
or relieve
the obstruction.
Tissue
samples (biopsy)
can be
taken for
further
testing. ERCP takes
30 minutes
to 2
hours.
ERCP is
performed
with
sedation. You will
be given
medication
to help
numb
the back
of your
throat
and a
sedative to
help
you relax
during
the exam.
You will
not
be able
to
return
to work
or to
drive
for 24 hours
following
the procedure.
You will
need
someone
to take
you
home
following the
procedure.
The sedation
given
during
the procedure
causes
drowsiness
and
dizziness,
and impairs
your
judgment, making
it unsafe
for
you to
drive
or operate
machinery.
Your
physician
will
make
sure
you
do
not
have signs
of
complications before
you
leave. If
any
kind
of
treatment
is
done during
ERCP,
such
as
removing a gallstone,
you
may
need
to
stay
in
the hospital
overnight.
You
may
have
some
discomfort
when
the
physician
blows
air
into
the
duodenum
and
injects
the
dye
into
the
ducts.
However,
the
pain
medicine
and
sedative
should
keep
you
from
feeling
too
much
discomfort.
Following
the procedure,
you may
experience temporary
soreness in
your throat
or bloating
in the
stomach/intestine, which
will quickly
dissipate. Throat
lozenges and/or
ice can
help to
relieve any
sore throat
discomfort. |
123 Medical Center Dr. 
