ERCP

No. ERCP does not remove stones inside the gallbladder. It removes dangerous stones from inside the canal that have fallen from the gallbladder, blocked the "main bile duct (choledochus)", and caused jaundice. For stones in the gallbladder, General Surgery must completely remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).

The procedure is performed under deep anesthesia (sedation) in the operating room or a special fluoroscopy room. The opening of the duct is widened with special devices, and the stones are pulled out and dropped into the intestine with special basket or balloon wires. If necessary, a stent (plastic tube) is placed in narrow areas to keep the canal open. It takes an average of 30-45 minutes.

Since ERCP intervenes in the common opening of the bile and pancreatic ducts, there is a 3-5% risk of developing mild "Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)" due to irritation of the duct following the procedure. For this reason, patients are usually kept under observation in the hospital for 1 night as a precaution, receiving intravenous fluids after the procedure.