ERCP or endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography procedure is an endoscopic diagnosis and treatment procedure that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of OCD and biliary tract and pancreatic diseases. It is an emergency, life-saving, procedure risky, endoscopy and radiology combined, requiring high procedural skills and experience. Performing some diagnosis and treatments such as removing the stone that causes jaundice in the duct, opening and widening the stenosis of the bile duct mouth, placing a stent if it is not possible, taking biopsy in case of tumor suspicion, which allows the bile ducts and pancreatic duct to be seen using endoscopy and scopy devices. makes.
The ERCP procedure is a method used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the biliary tract and pancreas, especially diseases that cause obstruction in the bile ducts. Although diseases require urgent diagnosis and treatment, unfortunately, ERCP procedure is far from being an accessible method out of working hours due to insufficient number of specialists and insufficient equipment. Istanbul Hospital in Ikitelli, Istanbul, performs ERCP 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
Our ERCP Doctors
Dr. Kenan Yüce
Emergencies requiring ERCP
Bile ducts can be blocked in cases such as stones, tumors or calcifications (Oddi stenosis).
Choledoch (Main Biliary Tract) Stone
Pancreatitis: The sudden onset (acute) inflammation of the pancreatic organ is caused by the obstruction of the bile and pancreatic ducts by gallstones at a rate of nearly 90%. In such cases, it is very useful to open the pancreatic and bile duct mouths and remove the stones from that area with ERCP for the treatment of the disease.
Cholangitis: It is a disease that can have serious consequences, manifested by fever exceeding 38 °C with chills, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, and jaundice due to bacterial growth in the bile accumulated in the bile duct after obstruction of the bile ducts by stones or tumors. In order to restore the stagnated bile flow and to open the occluded part of the bile duct, the bile flow should be opened again with the papillotomy procedure performed together with ERCP.
In general, complications are encountered at a rate of 5-10% after the ERCP procedure.
Development of pancreatitis
Bleeding: often occurs from the papilla area where the stones are taken, mostly stops spontaneously, sometimes blood donation or endoscopy may require burning to the bleeding site (cauterization or sclerotherapy).
Perforation: perforation of the duodenum or biliary tract
Infection: A biliary tract infection called cholangitis may develop. This may be as a side effect of the drug given to monitor the biliary tract or due to the inability to provide adequate bile flow in the biliary tract. Antibiotic therapy will need to be started.
You should not drive because of the sedative drug given after the ERCP procedure.
During the procedure, air is given in order to open the intestine sufficiently, so there will be some feeling of fullness and gas complaints after the procedure. There may be softening of the stool and changes in bowel habits for several days.
Ask your doctor for food intake a few hours after the procedure.
It is useful to inform your doctor in cases such as bleeding from the rectum, tar-colored stools, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, weakness and dizziness, and fever over 37.5°C.
