Characteristics of the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a national referral center]

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a method being used for approximately 30 years, in the diagnosis and treatment of a number of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders. This study has been undertaken to analyze ERCP characteristics in a national referential center.This is a retrospective descriptive study of a transverse section of 1702 patients subjected to ERCP in the Digestive Endoscopy Center of Gastroenterology Service of the Arzobispo Loayza Hospital between 2000 and 2003.A total of 239 ERCPs were carried out in 2000; 553 in 2001; 375 in 2002 and 655 in 2003. Seventy five percent (75%) of the patients were female. Prior to ERCP, 70% echographically presented biliary tract dilation; 44% as the only finding and 26% presented biliary tract dilation associated with other findings, giving a total of 70%. One percent (1%) was emergency ERCP. Forty two point six percent (42.6%) of the ERCPs performed were exclusively for diagnostic purposes, while 54.6% ended up being therapeutic. Once the procedure was completed, the most frequent definite diagnosis was choledocholithiasis (903/1702; 53.06%). Ninety two percent (92%) of the CPREs underwent first level difficulty; 98% passed without complications. In 55% of the cases, sphincterotomy was performed. In 54% of the cases a complete technical success was encountered and clinical success in 84% of the cases.The referral center of the study was characterized by an oscillating frequency of ERCPs which were frequently and, in a majority, conditioned by choledocholithiasis. Predominantly, the processes were at level one difficulty and in a majority a complete technical success was attained.