Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography use at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

ABSTRACT

All patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) were entered into a prospective database. Parameters included demographics, indication for the procedure, success of the ERCP and any immediate complications noted. Retrospectively, the patients' case notes were analyzed for complications developing after 24 hours, and outcome. During the period March 1999 to December 2002, a total of 120 consecutive patients were subjected to 123 ERCPs, all being performed by a single gastroenterologist. Of these 120 patients, eight had ERCP as outpatients and were transferred back to their referring hospitals. These patients were excluded from further analysis. Of the 115 UHWI patients, the case notes of 96 were available for analysis and this group formed the basis of this review. ERCP had successful cannulation in 95% of patients. There were 70 females and 26 males with a female to male ratio of 2.71. Age ranged from 13 to 85 years (mean +/- SD, 43 +/- 17), males being an average six years older than females. The most common indication for ERCP was a patient with cholelithiasis and abnormal liver function tests scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This made up 33% of patients and in this subgroup, sickle cell disease accounted for 50% of cases. Patients with common bile duct stones preoperatively and post-cholecystectomy accounted for 13% and 17% respectively while gallstones pancreatitis accounted for 13% of cases, including three patients with severe pancreatitis. While 64% of the patients had normal cholangiogram, 66% of them had sphincterotomy. Common bile duct stones were seen in 23 cases and complete removal was successful in 48%. There were ten cases (10%) of ERCP pancreatitis and this was severe in three patients and the direct cause of death in one. One patient had ascending cholangitis post ERCP and there were no cases of post-sphincterotomy bleeding or duodenal perforation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at the UHWI has high diagnostic yield but its therapeutic use needs further development.