Commitment, confirmation, and clearance: new techniques for nonradiation ERCP during pregnancy (with videos).
BACKGROUND
Symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy can be treated with ERCP, but fluoroscopy may pose a risk to the fetus. Nonradiation ERCP may be a safer form of treatment, but its performance has not been optimized.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate new methods of nonradiation ERCP during pregnancy, including wire-guided cannulation techniques to achieve bile-duct access without the use of fluoroscopy, and the use of peroral choledochoscopy to confirm ductal clearance.


METHODS
A retrospective review of consecutive ERCPs performed on pregnant women.


METHODS
Urban referral hospital.


METHODS
Pregnant women with symptomatic choledocholithiasis.


METHODS
All patients underwent therapeutic ERCP without any use of fluoroscopy. Endoscopist-controlled wire-guided cannulation was performed to achieve biliary access.


METHODS
The rate of successful biliary cannulation and short-term outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
ERCP procedures were performed by a single endoscopist.


RESULTS
Successful bile-duct cannulation with sphincterotomy and the removal of biliary stones or sludge was performed without fluoroscopy in 21 pregnant women. There was one case of mild post-ERCP pancreatitis. Choledochoscopy confirmed ductal clearance in 5 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Nonradiation ERCP is a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy. Wire-guided biliary cannulation and choledochoscopy may enhance the performance of ERCP in this setting.
Shelton
Joseph
J
Digestive Health Associates of Texas, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Linder
Jeffrey D
JD
Rivera-Alsina
Manuel E
ME
Tarnasky
Paul R
PR
D000328:Adult; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; D015607:Stents