What can be expected during ERCP?
Your physician will discuss why ERCP is being performed, potential complications from ERCP, and alternative diagnostic or therapeutic tests that are available. A local anesthetic may be applied to your throat and an intravenous sedative will be given to make you more comfortable during the test; most patients remember or feel very little of the examination. Some patients may also receive antibiotics before the procedure. The test begins with you lying face down with your head to the right on an x-ray table. The endoscope is passed through the mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum. The instrument does not interfere with breathing. Air is introduced through the instrument and may cause temporary bloating during and after the procedure. The injection of contrast materials into the ducts rarely causes discomfort. The duration of the test varies widely from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
