Quick Answer
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography) is an advanced therapeutic endoscopy used to remove bile duct stones, drain blocked bile ducts, place stents and treat pancreatic duct disease — all without surgery. Dr. Anando Sengupta performs ERCP at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh under general anaesthesia / deep sedation with same-week admission.
What ERCP can treat
- Bile duct stones — including those that migrate from gallbladder to bile duct
- Acute cholangitis — emergency drainage of an infected bile duct
- Bile duct strictures — benign (post-surgical, PSC) or malignant
- Pancreatic duct stones — in chronic pancreatitis
- Pancreatic duct strictures
- Post-cholecystectomy bile leak
- Pancreatic / biliary cancer palliation — metal stenting to relieve obstructive jaundice
- Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
What happens during ERCP
- You are admitted on the morning of the procedure after an 8-hour fast
- An IV cannula is placed; baseline vitals checked
- Anaesthesia or deep sedation is administered
- You lie on your left side or prone position on the X-ray table
- A side-viewing endoscope (duodenoscope) is passed through the mouth to the duodenum
- The bile / pancreatic duct opening (papilla) is cannulated with a thin guidewire and catheter
- Contrast is injected; ducts are visualised under fluoroscopy
- Therapeutic intervention is performed:
- Sphincterotomy (cutting the muscle of the papilla)
- Balloon or basket stone extraction
- Stricture balloon dilatation
- Plastic or self-expanding metal stent placement
- Mechanical lithotripsy for large stones
- You wake up in recovery and are observed in the ward for 24–48 hours
Aftercare
- Mild sore throat and abdominal discomfort for a day
- Clear fluids 4–6 hours after the procedure; soft diet from next day
- LFT and amylase/lipase checked next morning
- Discharged after 24–48 hours with clear next-step plan
- Stent removal or exchange typically planned at 4–8 weeks for benign indications
Why patients choose Dr. Sengupta for ERCP
- Fully equipped fluoroscopy-enabled endoscopy suite at Fortis Shalimar Bagh
- Anaesthesia-supported procedure for full comfort
- Multidisciplinary backup: surgical gastroenterology, interventional radiology, oncology
- Cashless admission on all major insurance panels
Frequently Asked Questions
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography) is a specialised endoscopic procedure to diagnose and treat diseases of the bile duct, gallbladder and pancreas. A side-viewing endoscope is passed into the duodenum and contrast is injected into the ducts under X-ray guidance.
Most commonly to remove bile duct stones, treat blockage from bile or pancreatic duct strictures, place stents in cholangitis or malignant obstruction, treat post-cholecystectomy bile leaks, and clear pancreatic duct stones in chronic pancreatitis.
ERCP is performed under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, so the patient does not feel pain during the procedure. Mild abdominal discomfort or sore throat may occur briefly afterwards.
Most ERCPs take 30–60 minutes. Complex procedures (multiple stones, stent exchange, stricture dilatation) may take longer.
The main risks are post-ERCP pancreatitis (3–10%), bleeding from sphincterotomy (1–2%), perforation (<0.5%) and infection. Modern technique and prophylactic measures (rectal diclofenac, pancreatic stent in high-risk cases) significantly reduce these risks.
ERCP at Fortis Shalimar Bagh typically costs ₹40,000–₹90,000 depending on whether stenting, stone removal or stricture dilatation is required, and the duration of admission. Cashless on most insurance panels.
Most patients are admitted for 24–48 hours for observation and pain control. Complicated cases (severe cholangitis, complicated stone disease) may need longer.
Yes. Dr. Anando Sengupta consults at North Delhi Nursing Home, Ashok Vihar Phase II (Mon–Sat, 5:30–7:30 PM) — within easy reach of Model Town (3 km), GTB Nagar, Mukherjee Nagar, Wazirpur and Shastri Nagar. Morning slots and procedures (endoscopy, colonoscopy, ERCP, EUS) are at Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh (~3 km from Pitampura, with cashless insurance on all major panels). Both clinics serve patients from across North Delhi.
