ERCP

What is ERCP?
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography) is an intervention made to the bile ducts opening to the duodenum (duodenum) with a specially manufactured endoscope. This intervention can be applied for diagnosis or treatment.

How is ERCP done? With endoscopy, the esophagus and stomach are passed through the mouth, and the dodenum is reached. The millimetric biliary tract in the duodenum is entered with a thin cannula passed through the endoscope, and a contrast agent that can be seen from the x-ray device is introduced into the bile ducts. In the meantime, thanks to the image obtained with the x-ray device, abnormalities such as stones, tumors and stenosis in the biliary tract are recognized. If intervention to the biliary tract is considered, another cannula with a wire at the end is used to widen the biliary tract by electrically cutting the inlet via electrocautery. For example, if there is a gallstone, the basket or balloon catheter is passed through the endoscope and the stone is caught or pulled out. In cases such as tumor or stenosis that prevents bile flow, this stenosis can be removed with a balloon, or a stent is placed in the stenosis area to provide bile flow. The procedure time is usually 20-30 minutes. After a successful procedure, the patient returns to his normal life on the same day or the next day.

In which situations is ERCP done? The most common reason for ERCP is the presence of stones in the biliary tract. It is performed to relieve the obstruction that occurs as a result of the stone formed in the gallbladder falling into the main bile duct from here. In addition, biliary tract and pancreatic tumors, biliary tract stenosis, biliary tract leakage (especially after surgical interventions), and some pancreatic diseases are indications for ERCP.

- Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopic Stenting
- Endoscopic Expansion