You will need to arrive at the endoscopy center in Thibodaux, LA 1 – 1.5 hours before your ERCP procedure. This is to allow time to fill out paperwork and get ready for the exam. You will be asked to put on a medical gown. Our clinical team will place an intravenous (IV) line in your arm to prepare for sedation to be administered. Special equipment will also be used to allow the physician and staff to monitor your pulse, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing oxygen, and electrocardiogram levels during and after the ERCP.

Upon entering the exam room, you will lie on the table. The sedation will then be administered. Small amounts are administered at a time to help ensure that you do not have a reaction to the sedative solution and to ensure we only administer the amount you require. In comparison with other endoscopic procedures, it is not atypical for general anesthesia to be administered for this procedure. After the appropriate sedation level is reached, the endoscope device will be gently inserted into the mouth. The scope will be gently advanced through the esophagus and into the stomach, and small intestine to the area where the pancreatic and bile ducts empty into the small intestine. A small portion of air is injected via the scope into the gastrointestinal tract to increase visibility. In an ERCP, contrast dye is injected into the bile duct and the pancreatic duct. An X-ray machine is utilized to capture pictures of the bile duct and pancreatic duct to identify whether there are any irregularities or concerns. Residual liquid in the upper GI structures can be eliminated by way of the scope device. Based on the findings of the procedure, several things might be conducted during the course of the procedure, including tissue extraction for a biopsy, removal of gallstones from the bile ducts or stones from the pancreatic ducts, stent placement (plastic/metal tubes) into the bile duct or pancreatic duct, and sphincterotomy (opening the bile duct or pancreatic duct). When the ERCP is complete, we will remove as much of the air and residual fluid as possible through the endoscope. In general, the exam takes about 30 – 90 minutes to perform based on the findings.

After the procedure is finished, you will be taken to the recovery room to be assessed while the sedation starts to fade away. The extent of sedation utilized throughout the ERCP procedure and how you respond to it will affect how quickly you awaken, although most individuals are alert enough for discharge within 45 – 60 minutes. You cannot drive for the rest of the day; therefore, you will need to have a relative or friend drive you home. You will also be directed not to sign important documents, work, or engage in strenuous activity for the rest of the day. The majority of patients can consume foods and beverages as normal after discharge from the endoscopy unit, although key instructions concerning eating, activity, and medications will be provided before discharge. Occasionally, patients may be required to stay in the hospital overnight for evaluation. If this is the case for you, we will follow up accordingly.

When your ERCP is complete, your GI team will go over the results of the evaluation with you. Most often, patients do not remember what is discussed after the ERCP evaluation because of sedation effects. Our Digestive Health Center staff highly recommends you have someone with you with whom the ERCP outcomes can also be discussed. You will also be provided with a typed report and will be contacted with any test or biopsy results generally within seven days.