ERCP and EUS in Management of Pancreatitis

Abstract

Interventional endoscopic procedures like Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) have a major role in the minimally invasive management of acute and chronic pancreatitis and their complications. These complications may be due to pancreaticolithiasis, main pancreatic duct strictures, trauma, infections, autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic neoplasms. ERCP and endoscopic ultrasound scan are important as both diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. The commonly managed complications by ERCP and EUS include; pancreatic duct stones, main pancreatic duct strictures, pancreatic pseudocysts and pancreatic walled off necrosis. These endoscopic interventions have the advantage of cosmesis, short hospital stay and can be safely used even in very sick, critical or elderly patients without necessarily increasing the morbidity and mortality associated with open surgical approaches.