You have had your bile ducts and/or pancreatic ducts examined using an endoscopic technique and x-rays. The nurse or doctor will have explained to you exactly what has been examined and if any treatment has been undertaken.
You have had sedation today; it is essential that someone accompanies you home and stays with you for the next 24 hours.
You should not drive a car, operate machinery, drink alcohol, sign any legally binding documents or look after small children for 24 hours.
Unless otherwise instructed by the doctor, you may resume your normal diet.
You may resume your normal prescription medicines unless otherwise advised on discharge.
There may be some slight soreness behind the breastbone where the instrument has been but this will wear off over the rest of the day.
Some bloating may be experienced if air has remained in your gastrointestinal tract (stomach and/or bowel). This is not something to worry about, it will resolve itself naturally over the next few hours. However, if it causes gripe, having a hot drink or taking some peppermint water/tea and walking around might help to provide some relief.
ERCP brings a risk of Pancreatitis. This is inflammation of the pancreas. This may be mild and involves mild pain but in a small number of cases (5/100) may present as severe pain which requires a hospital admission for several days until the problem resolves.
Treatment specific advise
- Sphincterotomy – A cut has been made in your ampulla. This is where the bile duct comes out into the small bowel. This means there is an increased (albeit low) risk of bleeding that typically occurs in 2/100 patients. This often settles spontaneously but in some cases may require a blood transfusion or in severe cases a further procedure may be required to stop the bleeding. Look out for vomiting of blood or black stools and come into A+E if either occur.
- Insertion of Metal Biliary Stent – A stent is a small tube that is passed down into the bile duct or pancreatic duct to allow for free passage of bile to flow past an obstruction. There are two types of stent. If you have had a metal stent inserted they normally stay in long term and will not need to removed although in some cases it will be. Your nurse will tell you which type of stent you have had before you are discharged.
- Insertion of Plastic Biliary Stent – Plastic Stents are only designed for short term placement. You will need to return on a future date to get this removed. Typically these should be removed in 3-6 months. There is a risk of developing biliary sepsis if these are left in long term. If you don’t hear from us regarding a repeat appointment – please contact either the department or your Consultant’s secretary.
- Insertion of Plastic Pancreatic Stent – Plastic Stents are only designed for short term placement. This stent usually becomes free and passes naturally within 10 days of your procedure. You will be invited along for an abdominal x-ray to ensure this has happened. If it has not passed then you may need to have another endoscopic procedure to remove it.
Major side effects to look out for
These side effects are extremely rare but we need to make you aware of symptoms to look out for.
Things to report to your doctor:
- Mild Fever;
- Redness, tenderness and swelling around the IV cannula site (through which injections were given) that persists for more than 48 hours.
Attend Accident and Emergency department if you feel really unwell and have the following symptoms:
- Severe pain, nausea or vomiting
- Vomiting of Blood
- Passing Black Tarry Stools
- Temperature greater than 100°F / 38 °C
- Weakness or dizziness
- If you have had a stent inserted and you find that after sometime your urine becomes darker, you develop a temperature, have tummy/back pain or feel unwell it is possible that your stent may have blocked. You should then seek medical attention.
- If you have had a cut made (Sphincterotomy) or dilatation (sphincteroplasty) and you notice black stools, vomiting of blood, or fresh blood passing from your back passage or tummy/back pain you must visit the Accident & Emergency Department.
Please bring your ERCP report with you to Accident and Emergency department
Further information and advice
If you have any urgent medical queries between the times of 1800-0800 relating to the symptoms that we advise you to look out for on your discharge leaflet – Please use our new dedicated Out of Hours Hot-Line. This will put you in contact with our partners at the L+D Gastro-Enterology Ward. They will not have access to your report so please have this handy when you make your call.
07815178199.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your GP or NHS 111 for medical advice .
Bedford Hospital Endoscopy unit: (Monday to Sunday 8am to 6pm)
01234 355122 ext. 6445
For appointment queries: 01234 792269
FOLLOWING THIS PROCEDURE YOU MUST NOT DONATE BLOOD FOR 4-6 MONTHS
The reason for this is that your ability to donate blood in the future is dependent upon your diagnosis and the possibility that you might need to undergo further investigations or complete treatments. (British Society of Gastroenterology, 2019)