Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography results and reliability in experienced hands

Abstract
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an imaging modality that visualizes biliary tract and pancreatic ductus after giving contrast material by cannulation of ampulla vateri via a duodenoscope. It has been used in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic ductus and biliary tract. This study included 204 patients. There was stone formation at ductus choledochus in 147 (72.06%), malignant biliary stricture in 28 (13.73%), benign biliary stricture in 8 (3.92%), periampullary tumor in 4 (1.96%), hydatid cyst communicating with ductus choledochus in 2 (0.98%), fasciola hepatica in 1 (0.49%), sclerosing cholangitis in 4 (1.96%), sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in 5 (2.45%) and postoperative bile leakage in 3 (1.47%) of the patients. The procedure couldn’t be performed in 2(0.98%) patients due to anatomic difficulties. Stone retrieval with basket and/or balloon was performed in 115 (56.37%) patients while plastic stents was inserted to ductus choledochus in 87 (47.64%) and in pancreatic ductus in 5 (2.45%) patients. Mechanical lithotripsy was performed in 6 (2.94%) patients. Following ERCP, pancreatitis was developed in 3 (1.47%) patients, whereas sepsis in 2(0.98%) and bleeding in another 2 (0.98%) patients. ERCP remains to be an effective method in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract and pancreatic ductus in experienced hands.