ERCP

ERCP is a procedure that uses an endoscope and X-rays to look at your bile duct and pancreatic duct. ERCP can also be used to remove gallstones or take small samples of tissue for analysis (a biopsy).

Removal of Large Gall Stones by Dr Puli

Gall Bladder Stones

Symptoms

Abdominal pain
Fever
Right shoulder pain
Pain in the tummy after eating food
Jaundice
Sepsis

Complications

Infection or Inflammation. of the Gall bladder
Jaundice
Sepsis

Pancreatic Cancer

Jaundice Treatment

What Causes Jaundice?

Jaundice is the yellow discolouration of eyes and skin, its a sign of serious illness, don’t ignore seek an urgent medical attention.

Gall stones in the bile duct
Hepatitis
Alcoholic Liver disease
Medications
Chronic Liver Disease
Pancreatic Cancer

What happens during ERCP

The endoscope ERCP also has a ‘side channel’ down which various tubes or instruments can pass. These can be manipulated by the doctor who can do various things. For example:ERC_

Inject a dye into the bile and pancreatic ducts. X-ray pictures taken immediately after the injection of dye show up the detail of the ducts. This may show narrowing (stricture), stuck gallstones, tumours pressing on the ducts, etc.
Take a small sample (biopsy) from the lining of the duodenum, stomach, or pancreatic or bile duct near to the opening called the papilla. The biopsy sample can be looked at under the microscope to check for abnormal tissue and cells.

If the X-rays show a gallstone stuck in the duct, the doctor can widen the opening of the papilla to let the stone out into the duodenum. A stone can be grabbed by a ‘basket’ or left to be passed out with the stools (faeces).
If the X-rays show a narrowing or blockage in the bile duct, the doctor can put a stent inside to open it wide. A stent is a small wire-mesh or plastic tube. This then allows bile to drain into the duodenum in the normal way. You will not be aware of a stent, which can remain permanently in place.

The endoscope is gently pulled out when the procedure is finished. An ERCP can take anything from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on what is done.

What You Can Expect

During the Procedure

The intragastric balloon procedure is done in the endoscopy unit as an outpatient procedure. You’ll be sedated for the procedure.

During the procedure, the doctor advances a thin tube (catheter) loaded with the intragastric balloon down your throat into your stomach. Next, the doctor advances an endoscope — a flexible tube with a camera attached — down your throat into your stomach. The camera allows your doctor to see the balloon as he or she fills it with saline.

The procedure takes about a half-hour. You can normally go home one to two hours after the procedure is finished.

After the Procedure

Most patients go home after the procedure, as it is a day case procedure.ERCP

Patients need to be accompanied, due to sedation, and should not drink alcohol or drive for 24 hours.

Complications Of ERCP

Most ERCP hospitals are done without any complications. Some people have a mild sore throat for a day or so afterward. You may feel tired or sleepy for several hours, caused of the sedative. Uncommon complications include the following:

Occasionally, the endoscope causes some damage to your gut, bile duct or pancreatic duct. This may cause bleeding, infection and, rarely, perforation. If any of the following occur within 48 hours after an ERCP, consult a doctor immediately.
Tummy (abdominal) pain – in particular, if it becomes gradually worse and is different or more intense to any ‘usual’ indigestion pains or heartburn that you may have
Raised temperature (fever)

Difficulty breathing
Bringing up (vomiting) blood
Inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) sometimes occurs after ERCP. This can be serious in some cases.

The risk of complications is higher if you are already in poor general health. The benefit from this procedure needs to be weighed up against the small risk of complications. Let your doctor know if you think you could be pregnant. It may still be possible to perform ERCP if you are pregnant, providing certain precautions are taken. Alternatively, it may be possible to delay it or use another type of procedure.

24/7 Emergency