Appointment Helpline
Bile ducts are tubes that transport bile from the liver to the gallbladder and duodenum. Pancreatic ducts are tubes that transport pancreatic juice from the pancreas to the duodenum. The main pancreatic duct is fed by small pancreatic ducts. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a treatment that combines upper GI endoscopy and x-rays to treat bile and pancreatic duct problems.
Need for the procedure
Doctors use ERCP treatment in Bangalore to treat bile and pancreatic duct problems. Doctors also use ERCP to diagnose bile and pancreatic duct problems if they expect to treat them during the procedure. Noninvasive tests (those that do not physically enter the body) may be used instead of ERCP for diagnosis. Noninvasive tests, such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)— a type of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) NIH external link—are safer and can diagnose many biliary and pancreatic duct problems.
Causes
ERCP is performed by doctors when the bile or pancreatic ducts become narrowed or blocked in patients due to the following conditions,
Gallstones are stones that form in the gallbladder and become lodged in the common bile duct.
Acute pancreatitis due to infection
Chronic Pancreatitis.
bile or pancreatic duct trauma or surgical complications
Pseudocysts of the pancreas
biliary duct tumours or cancers
Pancreatic tumours and cancers
Procedure
This procedure is performed in a hospital or an outpatient centre by doctors who have received specialised training in ERCP. An intravenous (IV) needle will be inserted into your arm to administer a sedative. Sedatives assist you in remaining relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. A doctor will either give you a liquid anaesthetic to gargle or spray an anaesthetic on the back of your throat. During the procedure, the anaesthetic numbs your throat and prevents gagging. The medical staff will monitor your vital signs and ensure that you are as comfortable as possible. You may be given general anaesthesia in some cases.
You will be required to lie down on an examination table. The endoscope will be carefully guided down your oesophagus, through your stomach, and into your duodenum by the doctor. A video image will be sent to a monitor by a small camera mounted on the endoscope. The endoscope introduces air into your stomach and duodenum, making them visible.
After Procedure
Following an ERCP, you can expect the following,
You will usually be kept in the hospital or outpatient centre for 1 to 2 hours following the procedure to allow the sedation or anaesthesia to wear off. In some cases, you may be required to spend the night in the hospital following an ERCP.
You may experience bloating or nausea after the procedure.
For 1 to 2 days, you may have a sore throat.
Once your swallowing has returned to normal, you can resume your normal diet.
You should spend the rest of the day at home resting.
Book an appointment now at Manipal Hospitals to know more about treatments with the help of best specialists in Bangalore.
