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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 1 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.
