Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Whakamātaunga tirohanga whakaroto

ERCP is a procedure that provides a view of your pancreatic and bile ducts. These ducts drain from your pancreas, gallbladder and liver. ERCP can also be used to remove gallstones, look for blockages and take samples of tissue (biopsies) for diagnosis.

On this page

When you would have ERCP

You may need to have ERCP to help diagnose or treat gallstones or inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis).

Gallbladder and gallstones

Having ERCP

A small, flexible tube with a tiny video camera (an endoscope) is passed into your mouth. It then goes down through your throat, food pipe (oesophagus) and stomach into the first part of your small bowel (duodenum).

Once in your small bowel, the opening to the tube (duct) from your liver and pancreas is found. X-ray dye (contrast) is gently injected through a thin, plastic tube in the endoscope. X-rays are then taken to help decide what treatment you may need.

ERCP is done in hospital, but you can usually go home the same day. You do not need to have a general anaesthetic, but you will have a sedative to help you relax and make you more comfortable.

Before your ERCP

  • You may need to have some blood tests before your ERCP. Your healthcare provider will discuss this with you.
  • You should not drink or eat for 6 hours before the procedure.
  • You should take your normal medications on the day of the procedure unless you have been told not to.
  • You may be asked to take some antibiotics before the ERCP. This will depend on the reason it is being done.

ERCP uses x-rays so tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or think you might be.

Results of your ERCP

Your healthcare provider will discuss the results of your ERCP and whether any treatment was done during the procedure.

Risks of ERCP

You are likely to have a mild sore throat after your ERCP. You will also feel sleepy until the sedative wears off.

Any other complications are rare but could be serious. The endoscope could cause some damage which might lead to bleeding or infection or even a hole in your gut (perforation). It might also cause inflammation in your pancreas, which can be serious. These complications might cause:

  • pain in your tummy that gets worse not better
  • fever
  • throwing up (vomiting) blood.

If any of these happen you must get medical help quickly.

If you have been given a sedative, it can make you forgetful and impair your judgement and reflexes. Even if you feel alert, you must not do any of the following for 24 hours:

  • drive
  • operate machinery
  • drink alcohol
  • sign any legal documents
  • ride on public transport alone.

Informed consent

Before your procedure you will need to agree to it by signing a consent form. You should get this in advance so you can read it and think of any questions you would like to ask.

The hospital team will discuss the procedure and the risks before asking you to sign your consent form. If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent, even after signing.

Healthcare services may be provided to you only if you make an informed choice and give informed consent to it. This forms part of your rights (Rights 5, 6 and 7) under the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights (the Code).

The Code and Your Rights/Ōu Mōtika — Health & Disability Commissioner

The 3 rights that together allow for informed consent are:

  • Right 5 — the right to effective communication
  • Right 6 — the right to be informed
  • Right 7 — the right to choice and consent.

This means you must be told about the service being suggested, including any risks or possible complications. You must have the chance to ask as many questions as you need to understand the information you are given.

You also have the right to have someone with you to help you. But the decision to say 'yes' or 'no' must be yours (unless you are unable to make that decision due to illness or other impairment, or sometimes in an emergency).

You also have the right to be given the information in a language you fully understand. You can ask for an interpreter if you need one.

Referral information

You will need to be referred for ERCP by your healthcare provider. You cannot self-refer.

Sometimes you may be referred to a hospital specialist who then decides if you need to have ERCP.

This procedure can be done in the public health system or privately.