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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)

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ERCP side effects

Answered by

Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine

Kevin, M.D. Boston - MA

This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.

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MedHelp Member's Question

ERCP side effects

by yogaman, Oct 20, 2005 12:00AM

Tags: ercp, Gastroenterology, biliary, pain, pancreatitis

I am a 51 year old HIV and HBV positive man. For the last three years, I have had constant URQ pain. Sometimes more intense than others. After 4 CT, two sonagrams, one hida scan, two IVPs all revealing nothing remarkable, my physician and I have decided that the ERCP would be a next step in finding out the root cause. I suspect candida infection in the biliary tract that has caused scarring of the tissue effecting bile flow. Needless to say my MD lightly entertains that notion given the allopathic point of view on candida. Be that as it may be, I have started a round of diflucan and will be on my way to the ERCP lab in a couple of weeks. I understatnd the upside of the ERCP could relieve some of the pain and pressure. What is the downside of this procedure and what are the possible side effects and what percentage of patients have side effects?

Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD

, Oct 21, 2005 12:00AM

There are several risks to an ERCP.

This can include infection, bleeding, performation of the biliary ducts, an pancreatitis. The rate of these complications can be affected by the experience of the endoscopist.

The complication rates vary from center to center. Some studies suggest a risk of pancreatitis of around 5 percent and bleeding of around 2 percent.

These risks can be discussed with your GI physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.

http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

Member Comments

by tuff case, Oct 27, 2005 12:00AM

To: yogaman

I am a 38 year old and have 2 ERCP's done. After the first one I was one of the 2-5% the get Pancreatitis and during this procedure the bilinary value was cut (SOD). I remained in the hospital for a couple of days and was then released. For the 2nd one they cut eh SOD valve again and the pancreatic valve. After the second one I went home from the hospital the same day, on a Tuesday) however they had put in a temporary stint which cause me a significant amount of pain and the afternoon of the 3rd day I was back in to have the stint removed, Thursday (I was actually schedule to go in Friday to have the stint remove.) Many times Dr's put in stint and leave the patient to pass them trough the digestive system. The stint was use to help drain the dye used for imaging out of my system and also to keep the pancreatic valve open while it healed from the cut.

I do not know if this helps you or not but I just thought I would share with my experiences and maybe this will help ask some questions to your GI before the procedure.

Good Luck, Amelia

by WhatNext!, Dec 13, 2005 12:00AM

You've probably already had your ERCP performed. Please be sure to ask how many ERCP's the doctor has performed. Don't be embarrassed to ask-this is your health we're talking about. You want someone who has done ALOT of them. Complication rates do have a correlation to the number of ERCP's the provider has performed. Let's face it you don't want someone who has only done a few!

by georgie430, Dec 22, 2005 12:00AM

hi guys: I have to go for a ERCP as well, becuase a cat scan revealed dilated biliary(ducts) I think,What Next, when you suggest asking the dr. if he has done alot of them, How many is alot, or how many would you suggest being experienced.

Also tuff case, what symptoms did you have with SOD?

If you guys with knowledge about biliary ducts, and ercp please

email me ***@****

thank-you

georgie

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