The Role of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Injection Training Sessions for the Gastroenterology Nurse and Associate

Abstract

Pancreatitis is a recognized serious complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The pressure with which contrast media are injected may be a risk factor for developing pancreatitis. We, therefore, designed a study to determine if there were differences in pressures generated by experienced and inexperienced gastroenterology nurses and how much training would be required to instruct individuals to inject to a specific pressure. With the use of manometrically guided practice sessions, it was determined that inexperienced operators initially inject with significantly high pressure but can learn to inject accurately to a specific pressure as rapidly as experienced operators. Injection training sessions may be beneficial in minimizing the potential risk factor of hydrostatic pressure induced endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-associated pancreatitis.