Managing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related complications in patients referred to the surgical emergency unit.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to present our experience in the management of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related complications in patients referred to our surgical emergency unit by various endoscopy centers.

METHODS: A retrospective investigation was conducted on the records of the 54 patients who were referred to our surgical emergency unit between October 2005 and January 2014 due to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-related complications.

RESULTS: There were 25 and 29 female and male patients, respectively. Pancreatitis was the most common complication (38.8%). Perforation (27.7%), infection (20.3%), and bleeding (12.9%) were the other complications. In 22.2% of cases, patients were died. The mortality rate was the highest in patients with perforation (40%). The mean age of the patients who were died due to complications was 75.9 years (range, 47-94 years). In total, 41.6% of the patients were died within the first week and 33.3% were died within the second week following ERCP. Nearly half of these patients had a cancerous disease (one had metastatic breast cancer, one had a gallbladder cancer, one had a duodenal cancer, and the other three had periampullary cancers) and 50% of the patients who died also had cardiopulmonary and/or cerebrovascular disorders.

CONCLUSION: Comprehending and managing the main risk factors can minimize complications; however, they would not be eliminated. Moderate and severe complications may increase the mortality rates, particularly in high-risk patients.