Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Louisiana

Our team will ask you to arrive at the endoscopy center in Louisiana 1 – 1.5 hours before your ERCP evaluation. This will allow adequate time to complete paperwork and get ready for the evaluation. You will then need to change into a medical gown. Our clinical team will place an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to allow sedation to be given. We will also connect you to equipment to enable the doctor and our team to monitor your breathing, oxygen, pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and electrocardiogram levels throughout the course of and after the ERCP.

Once in the exam room, you will then position yourself on your abdomen on the table. The IV sedation will be started. A small amount will be administered at a time to help ensure that you do not have an adverse reaction to the medication and to provide only the dosage you need individually. As opposed to other variations of endoscopic assessments, it is not uncommon for general anesthesia to be given for an ERCP exam. Once a sufficient sedation level is established, the endoscope device will be gently placed into the mouth. The endoscope will be gently forwarded through the esophagus and down into the stomach, and small intestine to where the pancreatic and bile ducts empty into the small bowel. A small portion of air is administered through the endoscope into the digestive system to aid in visibility. With and ERCP procedure, contrast dye is injected into the biliary duct and pancreatic duct. An x-ray imaging machine is utilized to capture images of ducts to detect whether there are any irregularities or concerns. Any fluid remaining in the upper gastrointestinal tract can be suctioned out via the scope. Based on the findings of the procedure, several processes can be performed during the course of the test, including tissue biopsies, sphincterotomy (opening the bile duct or pancreatic duct), removal of gallstones from the bile ducts or stones from the pancreatic ducts, or placement of stents (plastic/metal tubes) into the bile duct or pancreatic duct. Once the procedure is complete, as much of the remaining fluid and air as possible will be extracted through the endoscope. On average, the process takes about 30 – 90 minutes to perform based on the results.

Once the exam is over, you will be taken to the recovery room to be evaluated while the sedative effects begin to subside. The amount of sedation given throughout the ERCP test and your body's response to the medication will impact how soon you wake up; however, most patients are awake enough for dismissal within 45 – 60 minutes. You cannot drive any vehicles for the rest of the day; therefore, you should arrange for a ride home in advance. You will also be instructed not to perform strenuous activities, sign important documents, or work for the rest of the day. The majority of individuals can eat and drink as normal after being dismissed from the endoscopy unit, though certain instructions involving eating, medications, and activity will be given before discharge. There may be times when ERCP patients may need to stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring or assessment.

Following the exam, the specialist and/or nurse will go over the findings of the test with you. Many patients will not recall what they are told following the exam because of sedation medication. Our GastroGroup & Endocenter team highly recommends you have someone with you to whom the outcomes can also be provided. You will also be given a typed report and will be advised of any biopsy or other test results typically within a week.