What is an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatiogram (ERCP)?
An ERCP is a procedure that enables your physician to examine the pancreatic and bile ducts. A bendable, lighted tube (endoscope) about the thickness of your index finger s placed through your mouth and into your stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum). In the duodenum, a small plastic tube (cannula) is passed through the endoscope and into this opening. Dye (contrast material) is injected and X-Rays are taken to study the ducts of the pancreas and liver.
Why is an ERCP performed?
Most commonly performed to diagnose conditions of the pancreas or bile ducts. It is also used to treat those conditions.
This procedure is used to evaluate symptoms suggestive of disease in these organs, or to further clarify abnormal results from blood tests or imaging tests, such as an ultrasound or CT scan.
The most common reasons to do an ERCP is abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), or an imaging test (ultrasound or CT scan) that shows stones or a mass in these organs.
What are the risks?
Complications are rare, however, they can occur. The most common complication is pancreatitis, due to irritation of the pancreatic duct. This can occur in 5% of patients. Usually this means patients might experience abdominal pain and nausea starting 4-6 hours after their procedure. On rare cases, pancreatitis can be life threatening and can make you very sick. This severe pancreatitis has a chance of 1 in 1000 of happening.
If your ERCP included a therapeutic procedure such as removal of stones or placement of a stent (drain), there are additional risks of bleeding or perforation. This can occur less than 1% of the time.
Preparation
Your current medications may need to be adjusted or avoided. Inform your physician of any allergies to medications you may have.
The day before your exam
You are allowed to have regular meals until midnight. After midnight do not eat or drink anything, your stomach must be empty for this exam.
The day of your exam
You will be required to have someone drive you too and from the hospital. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours after the exam, the medication you are given may have drowsy affects on your body.
■ Arrive at the hospital 60 mins prior to your appointment time.
■ Bring your health card and an additional piece of photo identification.
■ Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking, this includes all prescription and non prescription medications.
■ Do not wear any jewellery.
■ Do not wear any perfume, cologne, or scented creams.
■ Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Do not eat any food or drink any liquid starting at midnight the day prior to your exam.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel your procedure appointment for any reason, our office needs 72 hours notice.