An interventional endoscopic procedure used mainly to treat stones, strictures, leaks and obstruction in the bile or pancreatic ducts. Suitability and preparation must be personalised after clinical review.
ERCP is an interventional endoscopic procedure used to remove bile or pancreatic duct stones, treat or sample strictures, manage leaks and place stents. When diagnosis alone is needed, MRCP or EUS is usually considered first. Urgent drainage may be required for cholangitis or ongoing obstruction; pancreatitis, bleeding, infection and perforation risks are assessed for the individual patient.
What is it?
An interventional endoscopic procedure used mainly to treat stones, strictures, leaks and obstruction in the bile or pancreatic ducts.
It is planned as an individual clinical pathway based on symptoms, previous tests, anatomy and treatment goals. Suitability cannot be decided from a web page alone. Expected benefits, alternatives, sedation or anaesthesia and follow-up are discussed before consent. The goal is safe recovery and an appropriate long-term plan as well as technical success.
Evidence map for this guide
The organisations and guidelines used for each section are mapped below.
Overview2 sources
Decision3 sources
Indications4 sources
Preparation3 sources
Procedure4 sources
Aftercare3 sources
Alternatives3 sources
Risks5 sources
Follow-up3 sources
Urgent warnings3 sources
How is this procedure selected?
ERCP is not automatic simply because a duct abnormality has been reported. Blood tests and ultrasound/CT, MRCP or EUS first clarify whether a stone, stricture, leak or obstruction requires therapy. Cholangitis or persistent obstruction may make timing urgent; a non-invasive test comes first when diagnosis alone is required. Altered anatomy, antithrombotic medicines, infection and post-ERCP pancreatitis risk shape the plan.
The clinical question—not the procedure name—drives the plan. If a simpler and safer method can answer the same question, it should be discussed first.
When is it considered?
This procedure may be considered in the situations below. The list is not a diagnosis or a treatment decision; test findings and individual risks must be interpreted together.
- Symptoms or test findings related to this procedure
- Need for detailed diagnosis, tissue sampling or endoscopic treatment
- A specialist review showing that expected benefit outweighs individual risk
Preparation timeline
This is a general pathway. Your personalised written hospital instructions and medicine plan always take priority.
Share your complete health history
Tell the team about blood thinners, diabetes medicines, allergies, pregnancy, heart or lung disease and previous anaesthesia problems. Never stop prescribed medicine without an individual plan.
Follow your written preparation plan
Fasting, bowel preparation and medicine timing depend on the procedure and your health. The instructions from your treating unit take priority over general web information.
Bring records and arrange support
Bring imaging, reports and an up-to-date medicine list. If sedation is planned, arrange a responsible adult to take you home and do not drive.
Confirm the recovery plan
Ask about diet, medicines, expected symptoms, pathology results, follow-up and the warning signs that require urgent contact.
What happens during the procedure?
The exact steps depend on the indication and findings. Monitoring, comfort and safety continue throughout the procedure; any possible therapeutic step is discussed during consent.
Aftercare and recovery
Recovery, diet, medicines and discharge are individualised. If tissue is obtained, arrange how and when the pathology result will be reviewed with the clinical team.
When can I eat? When do I restart medicines? Can I drive? Who will explain pathology results and when? When is follow-up?
Alternatives and comparison options
The same technique is not appropriate for every patient. These options may be compared according to the clinical question, anatomy, disease extent and general health.
- MRCP or EUS when diagnosis alone is required
- Percutaneous drainage by interventional radiology when endoscopic access is not feasible
- Surgery according to the nature of the stone, stricture or anatomy
- Additional imaging and multidisciplinary review for uncertain findings that do not require urgent treatment
Risks and safety
Every medical intervention carries risk. Probability varies with the scope of treatment, technique and your individual health.
- Bleeding, infection or a reaction to sedation
- A tear or perforation, with risk varying by the intervention
- Procedure-specific complications discussed during consent
- Need for observation, repeat endoscopy, radiology or surgery in uncommon cases
Results and long-term follow-up
Follow-up covers clinical and laboratory response after stone extraction, the cause and sampling result of a stricture, and a written removal or exchange date for every temporary stent. Cytology or pathology should be reviewed in a dedicated result discussion.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor
- What exact clinical question is this procedure expected to answer?
- Is the aim diagnosis, treatment, tissue sampling or more than one of these?
- What are the reasonable alternatives in my case?
- How should I manage blood thinners, diabetes medicines and fasting?
- What findings could change the plan during the procedure?
- When and how will I receive pathology or final results?
When should I seek urgent help?
If any of the following occurs, do not wait for a routine web response; seek urgent medical care where you are.
- Severe or worsening chest or abdominal pain
- Fever, chills or marked weakness
- Vomiting blood, black stool or heavy rectal bleeding
- Breathing difficulty, fainting or confusion
- Persistent vomiting, inability to drink or increasing abdominal swelling
Frequently asked questions
Will it hurt?+
Comfort is planned according to the procedure and your health, often with sedation or anaesthesia support. Expected symptoms and pain relief are explained before discharge.
Can I go home the same day?+
Many procedures are day cases, but the extent of treatment, other illnesses or observation needs can require an overnight stay.
Should I stop my medicines?+
Never stop prescribed medicines on your own. Blood thinners and diabetes medicines require an individual written plan.
When will I receive results?+
Visual findings may be discussed immediately. Biopsy or resection results take longer and should be interpreted with the treating clinician.
Author: Doç. Dr. Süleyman Günay
Medical review status: Awaiting physician verification
Last medical review: 2026-09-13
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Scientific References
Official guidelines, scientific articles and patient information sources used for this page. Source links open in a new tab.
