About this topic
ERCP is the short name for an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. It is a test to check your liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder for blockage and infection. Treatments can also be done during the procedure. ‚
An ERCP may be used to: ‚
- Look for the cause of your belly problem
- Get small pieces of tissue for a biopsy
- Check for blocks in the ducts
- Treat blocked ducts or remove stones in the gallbladder
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluids each day. This will help flush the contrast out of your body.
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
- Do not drive the day of the procedure and for 24 hours after.
- You may have a sore throat after the procedure and feel the need to burp for a few days after the procedure. This happens due to the scope that the doctor uses for the procedure. Avoid drinking soda to lessen the gas in your belly.
- Heat may help with belly pain. If your doctor tells you to use heat, put a heating pad on your belly for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may have you make a visit to talk about your results and any more treatment you may need. Together you can make a plan for more care.
Will physical activity be limited?
You can return to your normal activities after the procedure. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Pancreatitis
- Bleeding
- Damage to the esophagus, stomach, or small intestine
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Trouble swallowing
- Very bad pain in the throat, chest, or belly
- Throwing up
- Bloody or dark stool
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how much fluid I should drink after my procedure.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have very bad pain in my throat, chest, or belly.
Where can I learn more?
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ‚
http://www.asge.org/patients/patients.aspx?id=398 ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ercp/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚