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Are there any risks when having an ERCP?

There is always a small risk with procedures of this kind. The ERCP may lead to complications, and sometimes these can be serious.

There are four main complications:

  • in about one in 50 patients the ERCP causes acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). If you develop this you may have to stay in hospital, and occasionally an operation is needed

     
  • ERCP may lead to an infection in the bile duct (cholangitis). This can usually be treated with antibiotics, but occasionally it may be serious

     
  • ERCP may cause bleeding. This can usually be stopped by an injection given through the endoscope, but if it is serious an operation may be needed

     
  • ERCP may tear the bowel, and an operation may be needed to put this right.

Remember, though, that ERCP is generally a safe test and complications are quite rare.

 

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