Endoscipic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP is a procedure at Ogden Clinic similar to an EGD, but performed with the assistance of an X-ray. The endoscope and X-ray combination allows your Ogden Clinic gastroenterologist to diagnose diseases of the gallbladder, bile system, pancreas, and liver.

During cholangiopancreatography, the patient is sedated and an Ogden Clinic gastroenterologist inserts an endoscope inside their digestive system. The endoscope’s camera identifies where the bile duct comes into the intestine. Once identified, your gastroenterologist feeds a tiny catheter into the duct. A contrasting agent is injected into the bile system or pancreas while X-rays are taken with cholangiopancreatography, allowing your doctor to view the ducts of the bile system, gallbladder, and pancreas on the X-rays.

Procedures performed during ERCP

Once your Ogden Clinic gastroenterologist has determined the problem with cholangiopancreatography, many conditions can be treated while the patient is still sedated. These include:

• Bile duct drainage with stent placement
• Gallstone removal
• Sphincterotomy (making an incision in the bile duct to help small gallstones and bile drain)
• Cell sampling (cytology)

Preparation for ERCP at Ogden Clinic

Like an EGD, the Ogden Clinic ERCP procedure requires patients to fast six hours before the test to empty his/her stomach. Sedation is given, so the patient must arrange for a responsible person to take them home and must not return to work or daily activities for 24 hours following the procedure.

After Your ERCP Procedure

Following their ERCP procedure, Ogden Clinic patients may have a sore throat that should only last a couple hours. Complications are rare, but patients should call our office if they experience continuous coughing, fevers, chest pain, or nausea up to 72 hours after ERCP.

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