Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): outcomes of 3136 cases over 10 years

Aim: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has an important place in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. This study discusses the outcomes of 3664 ERCPs in 3136 patients over the course of 10 years. Materials and methods: The records of 3664 ERCPs of 3136 patients, performed between January 2000 and January 2010, were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The age range was 4-94 years (mean: 55.1 years), and 1816 patients (57.9%) were female. The most common indication was the presence of obstructive jaundice and/or a high serum bilirubin level (2289 patients, 73.0%). The average ERCP duration was 16.5 min (range: 5-45 min). A repeat ERCP was needed in 528 patients (16.8%), and cannulation was successful in 2965 patients (94.5%). Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 2797 patients (89.2%), biliary balloon application in 2768 (88.3%), and stone extraction in 2231 (71.1%). Complications occurred in 118 patients (3.8%), and the most common complication was acute pancreatitis (54 patients, 1.7%). In this series, 5 patients (0.2%) died. Conclusion: Despite its associated morbidity and risk of mortality, ERCP is a reliable method in diagnosing and treating hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.