Endoanal ultrasound

In the treatment room you will be asked to lie down on an examination table and given a local anaesthetic to numb your throat. Your consultant will then carefully feed the endoscope down your oesophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach) into your small intestine. A small camera at the end of the endoscope will send images to a monitor. The endoscope pumps air into your stomach and small intestine, making it easier for your consultant to view inside your intestine. They may also inject a special dye to make the ducts more visible under X-ray. Your consultant will locate the opening where the bile and pancreatic ducts empty into the small intestine and place a catheter into the ducts.

Your consultant will provide information on preparation before your ERCP.

Having an endoscope inserted, will likely mean you will experience a sore throat for several days following the procedure. You may also experience bloating or nausea. These symptoms should pass. You should be able to return home on the same day, but may have to stay in hospital overnight depending on the rate of your recovery. Your consultant will share your results with you once you have recovered.