Outcome and management of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography perforations: A community perspective

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) carries a small but significant risk of perforation. Recent data suggest that select patients can be managed non-operatively. We sought to evaluate the management of ERCP perforations at our community medical center.

ERCPs performed from 2004 to 2015 were reviewed.

Twenty-one of 2423 patients who underwent ERCP had a perforation (0.9%). ERCP procedures included balloon sweep with/without sphincterotomy and pancreatic duct stent (71%), common bile duct brushing (10%), and pancreatic duct stenting (5%). Duodenal diverticula were present in 3 (14%), and altered anatomy was present in 6 (29%). Seventeen patients were treated nonoperatively; 3 (14%) underwent percutaneous drain placement. Two patients failed nonoperative treatment and required surgery. Four patients required ICU stay, and median post-ERCP LOS was 5 days. The 30-day mortality rate was 1/21 (4.8%).

Perforations remain a rare, but serious, complication of ERCPs. Nonoperative management is highly successful in carefully selected patients. Early recognition with initiation of antibiotics is paramount. Our community-based practice patterns are similar to those previously published for successful nonoperative management of ERCP perforations.