How is an ercp test done

Inflammation of the pancreas also can develop. These complications may require hospitalization and, rarely, surgery. Due to the sedation, the patient should not drive or operate machinery for the remainder of the day following the exam. For this reason, a driver should accompany the patient to the exam.

ERCP is an outpatient exam that is performed with the patient sedated. The procedure provides significant information upon which specific treatment can be given. In certain cases, therapy can be administered directly through the endoscope. Serious complications rarely occur from an ERCP. The physician can answer any questions you have.

For more information on any physician: Call Interventional radiology is a branch of medicine that uses X-ray guidance to diagnose and treat patients using minimally invasive techniques. Providing a Variety of Diagnostic Procedures. Committed to the Latest Clinical Advances. The Department of Surgery is an academic program that combines the latest clinical advances in patient care, teaching, and research. An Expert Academic Program. The Laboratory performs over 1. Then they pass it down your throat esophagus to the stomach and the first part of your small intestine, the duodenum.

The endoscope does not affect your breathing, and you might even fall asleep during the procedure. If you do feel discomfort, it will probably be minor.

For example, you might feel slightly bloated from the air your doctor uses to inflate the duodenum. You might also feel minor discomfort when your doctor injects dye for the x-rays. ERCP usually lasts thirty minutes to an hour. Your procedure might take more or less time depending on what your doctor needs to learn and do.

You can talk with your doctor ahead of time about how long it might take. You stay in the procedure area for one 1 or 2 hours after your ERCP, until the sedatives wear off. Then you can have someone drive you home. You will probably want to spend the rest of the day relaxing at home. You may eat normally and take your regular medicines after the procedure, unless your doctor tells you not to. You might have a sore throat for a day or two.

You might need to spend the night in the hospital after the procedure. If so, your doctor will discuss it with you. Your doctor will usually tell you the ERCP results on the day of the procedure. It might take several days to get all the information if your doctor took a small sample of tissue, called a biopsy. Research has found that these complications occur in about 5 to 10 percent of ERCP procedures. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public.

Forsmark, M. What are the bile and pancreatic ducts? Why do doctors use ERCP? How do doctors perform ERCP? What are the risks of ERCP? Doctors perform ERCP when your bile or pancreatic ducts have become narrowed or blocked because of gallstones that form in your gallbladder and become stuck in your common bile duct infection acute pancreatitis chronic pancreatitis trauma or surgical complications in your bile or pancreatic ducts pancreatic pseudocysts tumors or cancers of the bile ducts tumors or cancers of the pancreas How do I prepare for ERCP?

Talk with your doctor You should talk with your doctor about any allergies and medical conditions you have and all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you take, including arthritis medicines aspirin or medicines that contain aspirin blood thinners blood pressure medicines diabetes medicines nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen Your doctor may ask you to temporarily stop taking medicines that affect blood clotting or interact with sedatives.

During ERCP, the doctor locates the opening where the bile and pancreatic ducts empty into the duodenum slides a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through the endoscope and into the ducts injects a special dye, also called contrast medium, into the ducts through the catheter to make the ducts more visible on x-rays uses a type of x-ray imaging, called fluoroscopy , to examine the ducts and look for narrowed areas or blockages The doctor may pass tiny tools through the endoscope to open blocked or narrowed ducts.

A doctor may also insert temporary stents to stop bile leaks that can occur after gallbladder surgery. The procedure most often takes between 1 and 2 hours.

After ERCP, you can expect the following: You will most often stay at the hospital or outpatient center for 1 to 2 hours after the procedure so the sedation or anesthesia can wear off. You might experience bloating or pass gas because of the air introduced during the examination. You can resume your usual diet unless you are instructed otherwise. Someone must accompany you home from the procedure because of the sedatives used during the examination.

Even if you feel alert after the procedure, the sedatives can affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day. Because individual circumstances may vary, this brochure may not answer all of your questions.

This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.