ERCP is an advanced endoscopic procedure that treats problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts — clearing bile-duct stones, relieving blockages and placing stents — without the need for open surgery.
| What | Endoscopic treatment of the bile & pancreatic ducts |
| Why | Bile-duct stones, blocked bile duct, jaundice, leaks |
| Comfort | Done under sedation or anaesthesia |
| Advantage | Treats duct problems without open surgery |
What is ERCP?
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) combines endoscopy with X-ray imaging to access the bile and pancreatic ducts through the natural opening in the duodenum. Today it is primarily a treatment procedure, allowing duct problems to be fixed without surgery.
What it detects & treats
ERCP removes stones trapped in the bile duct, relieves blockages causing jaundice, places stents to keep ducts open, and treats leaks and narrowings. It is often used alongside gallbladder surgery when a stone has slipped into the bile duct.
What to expect
The procedure is performed under sedation or anaesthesia and typically takes 30–60 minutes. Patients are monitored afterwards and many go home the same day or the next, depending on what was treated.
How we treat ERCP (Bile Duct Endoscopy)
View all services & treatments →Documented cases from our practice
A "difficult gallbladder" with dense scarring — removed safely by key-hole surgery without conversi…
Read case → Real case Polyp to Prevention: How a Colonoscopy Stopped a CancerA pre-cancerous polyp found and removed during screening — a colon cancer prevented before it could…
Read case → Real case Yellow Eyes to Relief: Clearing a Blocked Bile Duct by EndoscopyDeep jaundice from a bile-duct stone relieved by ERCP — no open surgery needed.
Read case →Visiting consultations near you
Meet Dr. Avinash Tank across Gujarat & Rajasthan — simple cases managed locally, advanced surgery at Dwarika Hospital, Ahmedabad.
Super-specialist GI, bariatric & cancer surgeon. SGPGIMS (India's premier GI centre) + advanced training in Japan & South Korea. Read full profile →
Last reviewed: June 2026Frequently asked questions
ERCP clears bile-duct stones, relieves blocked bile ducts (a common cause of jaundice), and places stents — all without open surgery.
No. ERCP is an endoscopic procedure done through the mouth under sedation, avoiding surgical incisions for many bile-duct problems.
Only if a stone has slipped from the gallbladder into the bile duct. ERCP can clear it, often before or alongside keyhole gallbladder removal.
Most people recover quickly and go home the same day or the next, with monitoring afterwards to ensure there are no complications.
Doctor-written articles on ERCP (Bile Duct Endoscopy)
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