Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Illinois

You will be asked to enter the endoscopy center in Illinois 1 – 1.5 hours before your ERCP exam. This time will be used to fill out paperwork and prepare for the assessment. You will then need to put on a medical gown. Our team will place an intravenous (IV) catheter in your arm to prepare for sedation to be administered. We will also utilize equipment to enable your provider and our team to monitor your breathing, oxygen, pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and electrocardiogram levels throughout the course of and after the procedure.

Upon entering the treatment room, you will then lie down on your stomach on the table. Your IV sedation will then be started. A small dose will be provided at a time to ensure that you do not have a reaction to the medication and to limit it to only the amount you need individually. In comparison with other types of endoscopic evaluations, it is not uncommon for general anesthesia to be used for this procedure. Once a sufficient sedation status is achieved, the endoscope will be introduced into the mouth. It will be carefully forwarded through the esophagus and into the stomach and to where the bile duct and pancreatic duct open into the small intestine. A small amount of air is administered through the scope into the gastrointestinal system to help your provider get a better view. In an ERCP exam, an iodine-based contrast dye is administered into the biliary duct and pancreatic duct. A radiographic (x-ray) imaging machine is used to capture clear pictures of the biliary and pancreatic ducts to identify whether there are any concerns or abnormalities. Any residual fluid in the upper gastrointestinal tract can be removed through the scope device. Depending on any discoveries, a number of things could be carried out during the course of the evaluation, including tissue biopsies, removal of gallstones from the bile ducts or stones from the pancreatic ducts, stent placement (plastic/metal tubes) into the bile duct or pancreatic duct, and sphincterotomy (opening the bile duct or pancreatic duct). When the procedure is complete, as much of the air and remaining fluid as possible will be suctioned out via the endoscope device. The ERCP evaluation takes approximately 30 – 90 minutes to perform depending on the findings.

Once the evaluation is complete, you will be taken to the recovery room to be monitored while the sedative effects begin to fade away. The portion of sedation provided throughout the ERCP procedure and how your body responds to the medication will affect how fast you wake up, but most patients are awake enough for release within 45 – 60 minutes. You will not be able to drive for the remainder of the day and will, therefore, need to arrange for a ride home in advance. You will also be instructed not to work, perform strenuous activities, or sign important papers for the remainder of the day. In most situations, people can drink and eat as usual following discharge from the endoscopy unit, though pertinent instructions concerning activity, medications, and eating will be given before dismissal. There may be times when ERCP patients might be admitted to stay in the hospital overnight for assessment or monitoring.

Once the ERCP is complete, the specialist and/or nursing team will review the results of the test with you. Generally, individuals will not recall what they are told following the ERCP process because of sedation effects, so our GI Alliance of Illinois staff recommends you to have someone with you to whom the ERCP outcomes can also be explained, when possible. You will also be released with a typed synopsis and will be advised of any test or biopsy results usually within seven days.