ERCP with cholangiopancreatoscopy may be associated with higher rates of complications than ERCP alone: a single-center experience

Background: Comparative data regarding complications associated with ERCP alone or when performed with cholangiopancreatoscopy (CP) are lacking.

Objective: To determine whether ERCP complications are more frequent when concomitant CP is performed.

Design: A retrospective query of a prospectively maintained database of ERCP, CP, and complications.

Main outcome measurements: Consensus criteria complications and additional adverse events (AEs), including unplanned medical evaluation, cardiopulmonary/sedation events, and others.

Setting: Academic, tertiary referral center.

Results: A total of 4214 ERCPs were performed (337 sphincter of Oddi manometry cases excluded) during the study period, of which 3475 ERCPs and 402 ERCPs with CP were analyzed. There were 28 of 402 AEs (7.0%) in the ERCP with CP group and 101 of 3475 (2.9%) in the ERCP-only group (odds ratio [OR], 2.50; 95% CI, 1.56-3.89). Subgroup analysis revealed a significantly higher rate of cholangitis in the CP group versus ERCP group (1.0% vs 0.2%; OR, 4.98; 95% CI, 1.06-19.67) and similar rates of pancreatitis (2.2% vs 1.3%; OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 0.74-3.65) and perforation (1.0% vs 0.3%; OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 0.73-10.75).

Limitations: Retrospective review of a complications database that relies on physician self-reporting.

Conclusions: AEs from CP may be more than double those of ERCP alone (when sphincter of Oddi manometry cases are excluded). CP appears to be associated with a significantly higher rate of cholangitis, possibly because of intermittent intraductal irrigation required during the procedure.