Indications, success, and adverse event rates of pediatric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background To improve knowledge on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children, we aimed to study the proportion of indications, success rate and complication of ERCP. Methods We performed a systematic search of all articles published up to December 2022 in the following databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed (MEDLINE) and Scopus. The meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was determined by the I2 statistics and the Cochrane Q test. The included data were analyzed to identify the proportion of indications, success rate and complications of ERCP in children. Results Based on data from 52 studies with a total of 5624 participants, the most common indications for ERCP in children were biliary [48% (95% CI: 0.40 - 0.57; I2 = 98.17%, P < 0.001)] and both biliary and pancreatic [41% (95% CI: 0.33 - 0.49; I2 = 98.27%, P < 0.001)]. The success rate of ERCP was 95% (95% CI: 0.94 - 0.96; I2 = 82.53%, P < 0.001) with the overall complication rate of 7% (95% CI: 0.05 - 0.09; I2 = 82.06%, P < 0.001). The pooled estimate for the incidence of post ERCP pancreatitis was 4% (95% CI: 0.03 - 0.06; I2 = 85.46%, P < 0.001) and the bleeding was 0% (95% CI: 0.0 - 0.0; I2 = 28.21%, P = 0.03). Conclusions ERCP appears to be performed safely in children with a similar success rate as in the adult population.