Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Houston, TX

Our staff will direct you to make sure you're at our endoscopy center in Houston, TX 1 – 1.5 hours prior to your ERCP. This will allow adequate time to complete patient forms and prepare for the evaluation. You will then need to put on a medical gown. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be started in your arm so that sedation can be administered. We will also utilize equipment that will allow the doctor and our team to monitor your breathing, oxygen, pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and electrocardiogram levels during and after the ERCP.

After you enter the treatment room, you will then position yourself on your stomach on the table. The IV sedation will be started. To ensure your safety and that you only receive the amount you need, the sedative will be administered a little bit at a time. When compared to other variations of endoscopic evaluations, it is not uncommon for general anesthesia to be performed for this procedure. After a sufficient level of sedation is established, the endoscope device will be placed into the mouth. The device will be slowly guided forward through the esophagus and into the stomach and small intestine, stopping at the location where the bile duct and pancreatic duct empty into the small bowel. A small portion of air is administered via the scope into the gastrointestinal system to enhance visibility. In this procedure, an iodine-based contrast dye is injected into the biliary and pancreatic ducts. A radiographic (x-ray) imaging machine is utilized to take clear pictures of ducts to see if there are any abnormalities or irregularities. Any residual fluid in the upper GI structures can be removed through the scope device. Based on what the procedure reveals, several things could be conducted at the time of the evaluation, such as tissue biopsies, sphincterotomy (opening the bile duct or pancreatic duct), removal of gallstones from the bile ducts or stones from the pancreatic ducts, or placement of stents (plastic/metal tubes) into the bile duct or pancreatic duct. At the end of the ERCP, as much of the remaining fluid and air as possible will be extracted via the endoscope. Each exam takes around 30 – 90 minutes to perform, depending on the results.

When the assessment is finished, you will be escorted to the post-treatment area to be monitored while the sedative effects of the medication start to fade away. The extent of sedation given throughout the exam and your body's response to it will dictate how soon you awaken, but most patients are awake enough to be discharged within 45 – 60 minutes. You will not be able to drive for the rest of the day and should, therefore, have someone drive you home. You will also be directed not to sign important papers, engage in strenuous activity, or work for the rest of the day. The majority of times, individuals can consume foods and beverages as normal after being dismissed from the endoscopy unit, however, key instructions concerning medications, eating, and activity will be given prior to dismissal. On occasion, patients might be required an overnight hospital stay for evaluation.

When the ERCP procedure is done, your doctor and/or nurse will explain the findings of the assessment to you. Most often, patients have little recollection of what is discussed in the wake of the ERCP process as a result of sedative effects. Our Gastroenterology Consultants team strongly encourages you to bring someone with you to whom the findings can also be provided, if possible. You will also be given a typed synopsis and will be advised of any test or biopsy results generally within one week.