ERCP

The endoscope moves from the mouth, through the upper digestive tract, to the common bile duct opening.

A balloon at the tip of a catheter opens above the stone. The stone is pulled out of the duct and leaves your body through stool.

ERCP stands for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This procedure is used to view the common bile duct to help locate and treat blockages in the duct. It may also be used to locate pancreas problems.

Preparing for ERCP

• Talk to your doctor about any health problems or allergies you have, and medications you take.

• Ask your doctor about the risks of ERCP. These include pancreatitis, infection, bleeding, and bowel perforation.

• You may be asked to take antibiotics ahead of time.

• Avoid blood-thinning medications for 1 week before ERCP.

• Do not eat or drink for 8–12 hours before ERCP.

• Have someone ready to take you home.

The Procedure

ERCP takes 20–90 minutes. You may be given medication through an IV to help you relax. Your throat is numbed. A thin tube (endoscope) is placed into your throat. The endoscope lets the doctor see the common bile duct on a video screen. A cut may be made where the common bile duct opens to the duodenum to make it easier to remove stones. As blockages are located and removed, x-rays are taken. Contrast dye is injected through a catheter to make the duct show up better on the x-rays.