Anesthesiologists and ERCP / 14 January, 2002

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is performed for either diagnostic or therapeutic procedures involving the hepatobiliary system (liver, biliary system, pancreatic ducts). ERCP is performed using a flexible endoscope and, therefore, avoids the need for open surgery. In the past, ERCP has been performed using varying degrees of sedations administered by nurses under the direction of the gastroenterologist.

With the use of deep sedation, administered by an anesthesiologist, more involved procedures can be performed, and frequently the procedure can be completed more quickly. Patients are generally released from the hospital the same day, with little lingering effects from the anesthetic drugs. In addition, gastroenterologists are willing to perform ERCP in patients with increasingly more complex medical profiles, when an anesthesiologist is in attendance, providing simultaneous care.