Learn more about this procedure that treats conditions that affect the bile and pancreatic ducts.
When you think of the digestive system you may think about your liver, gallbladder, and intestines, but you may not think about how your bile and pancreatic ducts play a role in your ability to digest the foods you eat. Both the pancreas and the liver produce juices known as bile and pancreatic juices, which help to breakdown food so the body can more easily absorb it. If you are dealing with pancreatic or biliary duct problems our St. Thomas, VI, surgeons may recommend undergoing a procedure known as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
What are the signs and symptoms of a biliary or pancreatic duct problem?
As you might imagine, when the bile and pancreatic duct are blocked or don’t work properly, this affects the rest of the digestive system including the liver and gallbladder. While symptoms may not always appear, you may experience,
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Unexpected or sudden weight loss
- Pale stools
- Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to the back
- Diarrhea
- Dark-colored urine
- Distended abdomen
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you must call our team of physicians right away.
What is ERCP?
ERCP involves performing both an upper endoscopy and x-rays to treat issues that impact the function of the bile and pancreatic ducts. An ERCP may be performed if your doctor has detected a blocked or narrowed duct due to gallstones, acute or chronic pancreatitis, or tumors of the pancreas or bile ducts.
This procedure can be used for both diagnostic and treatment purposes; however, your doctor may use an MRI or other imaging tests to diagnose conditions and diseases of the bile and pancreatic ducts first.
This procedure is performed under IV sedation. You will also gargle with a sedative solution to numb the back of the throat. While you are sedated, our surgical team will gently and carefully guide a small tube known as an endoscope down the throat into the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small intestines).
Through this procedure alone we can breakdown gallstones, remove tumors and biopsy them, place stents to open up narrowed ducts, and even correct blockages. This procedure usually takes anywhere from 1-2 hours.
If you are experiencing digestive problems that aren’t going away, or if you simply have questions about the treatments and care we offer our patients here in St. Thomas, VI, call Paragon Surgical Center at (217) 592-2863 to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our services.