Role of ERCP in the Management of Post Cholecystectomy Syndrome

Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatico-graphy (ERCP) is an endoscopic test that allows visualization and manipulations of the bile duct and the pancreatic ducts. Occasionally, the procedure is referred to as endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) or endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP), when only the bile duct or the pancreatic duct is visualized, respectively.Post-cholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) is a group of signs and symptoms that occur after cholecystectomy. Cholecyst-ectomy is most often performed to treat the formation of gall stones.PCS reportedly affects about 10-15% of patients. In general, PCS is a preliminary diagnosis and should be renamed relevant to the disease identified by an adequate workupAim of the study: This work is designed to determine the role of ERCP in the management of post-cholecystectomy syndromePatients and methods:The present study included 25 patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome & negative upper endoscope. They had been chosen from Internal Medicine Department, Zagazig University.Results:Females were more affected than males. The most common presenting symptom of PCS was abdominal pain.ERCP was successful in revealing a cause of PCS in 56% of cases, while it revealed no cause (functional) in 44%. Calculus of bile duct was the most common finding with ultrasound and ERCP. Endoscopic sphinceterotomy was the most common surgical procedure used in the treatment of the cases. Mild acute pancreatitis was the most common complication occurred with ERCP, with overall complications of 16%.Conclusion: ERCP was an appropriate method for diagnosis of the cause of PCS, with advantage of safety and its ability to apply the appropriate treatment in the same setting. Also, it has a little complications that mainly related to the condition of the patient or to the skill of the operator..