Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Florida

You will need to enter the endoscopy center in Florida 1 – 1.5 hours prior to your procedure. This will provide you with time to complete patient forms and prepare for the assessment. You will be asked to change into a medical gown. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be placed in your arm in order for sedation to be administered. Special equipment will also be used that will allow the doctor and staff to monitor your breathing, oxygen, pulse, blood pressure, heart rate, and electrocardiogram levels during and after the exam.

When you enter the treatment room at Gastroenterology Associates of Florida, you will lie on your stomach on the stretcher. The sedation will then be given. A small dose will be given at a time to help make certain that you do not have any reaction to the sedative solution and to provide only the dosage you require individually. When compared to other endoscopic tests, it is not atypical for general anesthesia to be administered for an ERCP exam. Once a sufficient sedation level is established, the endoscope will be introduced into the mouth. The flexible scope will be gently advanced through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine to where the pancreatic duct and bile duct open into the small bowel. A small amount of air is administered through the scope into the GI system to aid in visibility. During the ERCP procedure, radiographic contrast dye is injected into the biliary and pancreatic ducts. An x-ray machine is used to capture images of these structures to see if there are any concerns or abnormalities. Any fluid remaining in the upper gastrointestinal structures can be eliminated by way of the scope. Depending on the findings of the exam, a range of things can be conducted during the test, including biopsies, sphincterotomy (opening the bile duct or pancreatic duct), removal of gallstones from the bile ducts or stones from the pancreatic ducts, or placement of stents (plastic/metal tubes) into the bile duct or pancreatic duct. At the end of the ERCP, as much of the air and residual fluid as possible will be extracted by way of the scope. On average, the assessment takes about 30 – 90 minutes based on the results.

After the evaluation is finished, you will be moved to the recovery area to be evaluated while the sedation starts to fade away. The extent of sedation administered throughout the exam and your body's response to the medication will dictate how soon you wake up. Most patients are awake enough for release within 45 – 60 minutes. You will not be able to operate any vehicles for the rest of the day; therefore, you should plan to have a friend or relative take you home. You will also be instructed not to sign important papers, engage in strenuous activity, or work for the rest of the day. In most instances, individuals can consume foods and beverages as normal after discharge from the endoscopy unit, however, important instructions involving activity, eating, and medications will be discussed prior to dismissal. On occasion, patients will need an overnight hospital stay for evaluation or monitoring.

Once the ERCP in Florida is complete, the GI provider and/or nursing staff will review the results of the assessment with you. The majority of patients do not recall what is discussed following the ERCP procedure because of sedative effects. Our Gastroenterology Associates of Florida team advises you to have someone accompany you to whom the outcomes can also be provided, when possible. You will also be provided with a typed synopsis and will be contacted with any biopsy or other test results typically within seven days.