ERCP
Also called Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, Bile duct stone removal, Biliary stenting
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) combines endoscopy with X-ray to reach the bile and pancreatic ducts through the mouth. Dr. Anil Kumar Mannava performs therapeutic ERCP to remove bile duct stones, place stents for blockages and take samples, which treats jaundice and pancreatitis without open surgery.
At a glance
- Typical duration
- 30–90 minutes
- Sedation
- Deep sedation
- Stay
- Often a short hospital observation
What it involves
ERCP is mainly a treatment rather than a diagnostic test; scans such as ultrasound, MRCP or EUS usually come first to confirm the problem.
Therapeutic ERCP and SpyGlass cholangioscopy are among Dr. Mannava's areas of special interest.
Your consultation and follow-up are at the clinic. This procedure needs specialised equipment, so the clinic will tell you where it is scheduled when you book.
When it is recommended
- Stones in the common bile duct
- Jaundice from a blocked bile duct
- Bile duct or pancreatic duct narrowing
- Gallstone pancreatitis with duct blockage
- Bile leaks after surgery
After the procedure
- You will be observed for a few hours or overnight.
- Seek urgent care for severe abdominal pain, fever or vomiting after the procedure.
Questions patients ask
Is ERCP surgery?
No. ERCP is done through the mouth with an endoscope, with no cuts on the abdomen.
Will I need my gallbladder removed after ERCP for stones?
Often, yes. ERCP clears stones from the bile duct, while the gallbladder that formed them is usually removed later by a surgeon to prevent recurrence.
Related care
- Gallstones and bile duct stonesStones in the gallbladder or bile duct causing pain, jaundice or pancreatitis.
- PancreatitisInflammation of the pancreas causing severe upper abdominal pain, sudden or long-standing.
- JaundiceYellow eyes and skin, a sign of a liver or bile duct problem that needs prompt assessment.
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)High-detail ultrasound from inside the gut to examine the pancreas, bile ducts and nearby organs, with biopsy.
- SpyGlass cholangioscopyA tiny camera passed into the bile duct to see and treat difficult stones and narrowings.
Ask about ERCP
Book a consultation to find out whether this procedure is right for you.