Complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the post-MRCP era: a tertiary center experience.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate our experience in endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in terms of fulfilling the ASGE guidelines in indications, positive findings, and complications in the post-magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) era.


METHODS
Between November 2001 and February 2003, consecutive ERCP cases were prospectively evaluated with regard to the indications, findings, cannulation techniques, devices used during the procedure, sedation given, duration of procedure, and complications. These data were entered in a database for subsequent processing and analysis.


RESULTS
Of 336 cases, 21.4% were diagnostic and 78.6% therapeutic ERCP. The indications for ERCP fulfilled the ASGE guidelines in 323 cases (96.1%). Suspected bile duct stone was the most frequent indication (26.8%), and this was followed by cholangitis (24.4%), dilated common bile duct (14.9%), and cholestatic jaundice (13.4%). Cannulation success rate was 94%. Biliary sphincterotomy was performed in 175 (52.1%) patients. Repeated ERCP was performed on 31.5% of the patients. Overall, the complication rate was 9.8% with 0.3% being procedure-related mortality. The complications were pancreatitis (5.4%), bleeding (0.8%), cholangitis (2.4%) and others (1.5%). No significant difference was observed between the complication rate and the type of ERCP performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that post-ERCP complication rate was comparable with the other large prospective studies and there was no difference in the complication between the diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP.
Ong
Tze-Zen
TZ
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Hospital, 5, Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074 Singapore.
Khor
Jen-Lock
JL
Selamat
Dede-Sutedja
DS
Yeoh
Khay-Guan
KG
Ho
Khek-Yu
KY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000009:adverse effects*; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000639:trends; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies