ERCP

ERCP is an invasive procedure which is done with the help of an endoscope. In this procedure a special type of scope is used which has the camera facing sidewise. The aim of this procedure is to accessing the bile duct or pancreatic duct. The bile duct carries the bile secreted from liver into the duodenum while Pancreatic duct carries the digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum. Both of these ducts open through a small common channel into the duodenum called as ampulla and internal opening is called papilla. This procedure is commonly utilized for (common bile duct) CBD stones, bile duct stricture (narrowing), bile duct cancers, pancreatic cancers leading to jaundice, pancreatic duct stone or strictures. It’s a therapeutic procedure and not commonly used for diagnostic reasons. The risks of the procedure are Pancreatitis (swelling of pancreas), cholangitis (infection of bile duct), bleeding, perforation etc. which happens less than 5% of times. This procedure is done under anaesthesia and usually requires hospitalization for a day.