Factors associated to complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a third-level hospital

Abstract

Endoscopic treatment of the bile duct diseases is possible thanks to the ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography), nevertheless, it is not free of complications. Objectives. To describe the characteristics and indications of the ERCP and determine the factors associated to the development of complications after performing the procedure. Materials and methods. An observational retrospective study was done in the Gastroenterology Department of the Hospital Guillermo Almenara Irigoyen in Lima, Peru, from March 2002 to June 2005. Results. 294 registers on 280 patients were evaluated, the median age was 58 and 155 (52.7%) were women, five procedures we done in the intensive care unit (ICU). The most frequent indication was choledochus litiasis in 67.3% cases. 205 (69.7%) procedures were successful, only 33 presented complications. The most frequent complications were acute pancreatitis and hemorrhage, in 16 and 13 patients respectively. There were no cases of perforation or death. Pancreatic duct cannulation more than once was an associated factor (OR=2.01; 95%CI: 1.11-5.92; p=0.03). Conclusions. 11.2% of cases presented complications, being acute pancreatitis and mild hemorrhage the most frequent complications. Only pancreatic duct cannulation more than once is an associated factor for having complications.