Management of our endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography cases during the pandemic process

Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography (ERCP) is a technique in which endoscope and radiological imaging are used in combination in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases related to the pancreaticobiliary system. Our aim in this study is to discuss all aspects of approach strategies to ERCP patients whose operation is mandatory during the pandemic period, to draw the future perspective and to summarize the measures that the surgical team should take in terms of their own health and public health.

During the pandemic period between 14 March and 31 December 2020, we accepted 270 patients to our ERCP unit. We made our analysis regarding the management of these cases under COVID-19 pandemic conditions. We presented our patients' form of application, application complaints, COVID- 19 contact stories, pre-procedure preparations, and our prevention methods to prevent COVID-19 transmission of the patient and healthcare team during the procedure, and post-procedure patient follow-up methods, and the management of our COVID-19-positive patients before the procedure.

ERCP was applied to 270 patients. The COVID-19 test of 13 patients was positive before the procedure and they were taken to our COVID-19 isolated service. There was no problem in the anesthesia of patients who had positive COVID-19 PCR test and subsequently underwent ERCP. There was no difference in the discharge time after the ERCP procedure.

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the management and safety of ERCP units. ERCP procedures should be performed by determining the urgency of patients so that their treatment needs are not delayed. Postponing cases without planning can develop an increased workload in centers offering ERCP, and this situation can lead to further delays or negative consequences.