ERCP in pregnancy: is it safe?

Although rare, pancreaticobiliary disease during pregnancy can pose a serious risk to both the mother and fetus. Data regarding the relative safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during pregnancy are sparse.

We performed a retrospective review of 17 ERCP procedures performed at a single tertiary care referral center between January 2005 and April 2009. Records were reviewed for ERCP indication, endoscopic interventions, use and extent of fluoroscopy, postprocedure complications, and pregnancy outcomes including Apgar scores.

All procedures were performed without any maternal adverse events immediately or on follow-up. There were no signs of fetal distress during any of these cases, and there were no fetal complications noted upon delivery or at 30-day follow-up per chart review.

Therapeutic ERCP during pregnancy appears to be safe when performed in experienced hands and with judicious use of fluoroscopy.