SAGES Magazine

THE SOUTH AFRICAN GASTROENTEROLOGY REVIEW 2022 | VOLUME 20 | ISSUE 3 | 28 ERCP | A GUIDE FOR NURSES AND ASSISTANTS | Re-printed with permission Introduction 3 .................................................................................................... Anatomy and Function of the Bile Ducts 5 ...................................................................... When is an ERCP necessary? 7 ..................................................................................... What tests are needed before ERCP? 8 ......................................................................... Consenting for ERCP 10 ................................................................................................ In theatre - Setting up 13 .............................................................................................. In theatre - positioning and monitoring 14 ...................................................................... Sedation 16 ................................................................................................................. Which bits of kit to use? 18 ........................................................................................... ERCP: the procedure itself 20 ............................................................................. Part 1: Intubation 20 .................................................................................................... Part 2: Cannulation 21 ................................................................................................. Part 3: Sphincterotomy 25 ............................................................................................ Part 4: Stones 27 ......................................................................................................... Part 5: Strictures 31 ...................................................................................................... Part 6: Stents 33 .......................................................................................................... Part 7: Management of complications 37 ....................................................................... Post ERCP 41 ...................................................................................................... What to tell the patient when they go home 41 .............................................................. The ERCP was unsuccessful. Now what? 42 ................................................................... Acknowledgements 43 ...................................................................................... 2