Basic Knowledge that Doctors Starting ERCP Should Know

Abstract

The first endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) wad performed in 1968. With tremendous progress in techniques, instruments and devices, ERCP has played an important role in modern medicine for the diagnosis and management of various pancreaticobiliary diseases. ERCP has a potential risk of various complications even in the hands of the experts. The incidence of all ERCP-related complications is known to be about 4–10%, and that of fatal complications to be less than 0.5%. In order to prevent and minimize its side effects, the everyone who performs ERCP needs to fully understand various techniques and also recognize and deal with ERCP-related complications. In this review, we have summarized the must-know points in techniques and complications of ERCP for the beginners.