Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography – indications, complications and mortality rates in a real-world setting
PhD project Ingrid Marie Mikalsen
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) started about 50 years ago as a new tool to visualize and solve complex problems in the bile ducts and in the pancreatic duct. In recent years the indications have expanded and included treatment of Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, prophylactic sphincterotomies in acute pancreatitis and decompression of the pancreatic duct in pancreas divisum. As for any invasive procedure, ERCP has a risk for complications. With the shift from primarily a diagnostic procedure to a therapeutic one with advanced possibilities, an updated risk-benefit evaluation for the individual patient is urged for. Updated research to support such an evaluation is scarce. Therefore, the aim of the current project is to evaluate indications, complications and mortality of ERCP, both locally in our department and nationally.