Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a therapeutic modality in children and adolescents

To evaluate the indications, clinical features, complications, and effect on patient management of Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in paediatric patients of varying age.

A prospective, descriptive cross sectional study was conducted at the endoscopy suite, Surgical Unit 4, Civil Hospital Karachi; from January 2007 to August 2010. All ERCPs performed during a 3-year period in patients aged 18 years or less were prospectively analyzed. Success was defined as having authentic diagnostic information or a successful endoscopic therapy.

A total of 40 children and adolescents (18 Males, 22 Females; mean age 13.6 +/- 3.37 years, range 3 to 18 years) underwent 52 ERCP procedures. Indications were biliary pathology in 21, and pancreatic pathology in 19. The ERCP findings were choledocholithiasis in 12 patients, choledochal cysts in 5, chronic pancreatitis in 8, pancreatic pseudocyst in 5, recurrent pancreatitis in 5, biliary ascariasis in 2, pancreatic divisum in 1, postoperative bile leak in 1, and benign biliary stricture in 1. ERCP was successful in 51 of 52 procedures. Single procedure was performed in 36 patients, where as two patients required 2 procedures and it was repeated 4 and 6 times in the remaining two patients. Endoscopic therapy was performed in 92% of the procedures. The complication rate was 1.9% (1/52 procedures) which included mild pancreatitis, whereas asymptomatic hyperamylasaemia was seen in 11% (6/52 procedures). No mortality related to ERCP occurred. ERCP affected management in 94% (49/52 patients).

ERCP is an effectual and safe therapeutic procedure in children and adolescents of different ages with a variety of pancreatobiliary disorders.