WHAT IS ERCP ?
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography or ERCP, is a specialized technique used for study and treatment of diseases of the ducts that drain the liver (CBD) and pancreas. Technique : X-ray contrast dye is injected into the bile duct stones, biliary pancreatitis, cholangiocarcinoma, remove pancreatic cancer palliative treatment and for chronic pancreatitis Then, X-rays are taken during the ERCP to get images of these ducts. Then the Therapeutic work is done in the form of treatment of the narrowing or blockage of bile or pancreatic duct due to reasons such as:- Choledocholithiasis-Bile duct stones Biliary pancreatitis Cholangiocarcinoma or pancreatic cancer palliative treatment Chronic Pancreatitis
WHAT CAN BE DONE THROUGH AN ERCP SCOPE?
Stone Removal
The most common treatment through an ERCP scope is removal of bile duct stones. After a sphincterotomy is performed to enlarge the opening of the bile duct, stones can be pulled from the duct into the bowel. A variety of balloons and baskets attached to specialized catheters can be passed through the ERCP scope into the ducts allowing stone removal.
Stent Placement
Stents are placed into the bile or pancreatic ducts to bypass strictures, or narrowed parts of the duct. These narrowed areas of the bile or pancreatic duct are due to scar tissue or tumors that cause blockage of normal duct drainage. There are two types of stents that are commonly used.
Plastic stents use for benign diseases; it can be pushed through the ERCP scope into a blocked duct to allow the normal drainage. Metal stents are flexible and spring open to a larger diameter than plastic stents.
Tissue Sampling
One procedure that is commonly performed through the ERCP scope is to take samples of tissue from the papilla or from the bile or pancreatic ducts. Tissue samples can help decide if a stricture, or narrowing, is due to a cancer.
BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER A THERAPEUTIC ERCP
You should not eat for at least 6 hours before the procedure.
You will have an intravenous needle placed in your arm so you can receive medicine during the procedure. You will be given sedatives that will make you comfortable during the ERCP. Some patients require antibiotics before the procedure.
The procedure is performed on an X-ray table. After the ERCP is complete you will go to recovery area until the sedation effects subside.
WHAT ARE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS OF THERAPEUTIC ERCP?
The risks of ERCP include complications as follow:-
- Pancreatitis
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Perforation
