Study of patients undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia – Syria

doi:10.26389/ajsrp.f300621

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the indications, findings, and complications of performing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Patients and Methods: A Prospective Observational Descriptive study conducted for the period from January 2020 to January 2021, 167 consecutive ERCP were performed at Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia-Syria. Results: The median age was 58 years, 59.30% of patients were female. The most common indications for ERCP were common bile duct stones (44.9%) and obstructive jaundice (44.3%). The median number of attempts for cannulation was 2 counts, and 74.3% of the procedures were graded as with difficulty grade 1. The most common abnormal findings were common bile duct dilation (50.3%) and bile duct stones (43.7%). The most therapeutic endoscopic interventions were sphincterotomy (64.7%) and stone extraction balloons (68.9%). The therapeutic success rate was 93.5% with repeated the procedure and complications occurred in (10.8%) of patients. The most frequent complication was mild pancreatitis (6%). Death was reported in five cases (3%), one of them (0.6%) was due to ERCP. Conclusion: ERCP is a potential risk for complications, so physicians should be adept at recognizing and treating any complications as soon as they arise.

Highlights

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic technique in which a specialized side-viewing upper endoscope is guided into the duodenum, allowing for instruments to be passed into the bile and pancreatic ducts [C handrasekhara V et al 2017, Coelho-Prabhu N et al ].Since its introduction in 1968, ERCP has become a commonly performed endoscopic procedure [Adler DG et al 2005]
A total of 191 patients who presented to the Department of Gastroenterology from January 2020 to January 2021, 24 patients were excluded according to the exclusion criteria. 167 consecutive patients underwent therapeutic ERCP, and the baseline characteristics of patients are as given in table (1)
ERCP is among the endoscopic procedures associated with the highest rate of complications [Costamagna G et al 2008, Masci E et al 2001]

Summary

Introduction

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic technique in which a specialized side-viewing upper endoscope is guided into the duodenum, allowing for instruments to be passed into the bile and pancreatic ducts [C handrasekhara V et al 2017, Coelho-Prabhu N et al ].Since its introduction in 1968, ERCP has become a commonly performed endoscopic procedure [Adler DG et al 2005]. The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of ERCP has been well demonstrated for a variety of disorders, including management of choledocholithiasis, diagnosis and management of biliary and pancreatic neoplasms, and the postoperative management of biliary perioperative complications [Cohen S et al 2002, Cotton PB 2006]. A number of less common adverse events have been described including cardiopulmonary complications, contrast allergy, impaction of a retrieval basket, and numerous other events reported in only small numbers of patients. These uncommon adverse events, which may be difficult to manage, can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality [Anderson MA et al 2012, Mallery JS et al 2003]

Methods

Results

Conclusion