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.

Key words: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, pancreaticobiliary diseases, complication