Category Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Quality Issues and Measures in ERCP

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a technically demanding procedure that requires considerable endoscopic skill. It is associated with the highest adverse event rates of any endoscopic procedure. It is important that endoscopists with competency in ERCP are granted privileges to…

Principles of Electrosurgery

Electrosurgery Electrosurgery harnesses electricity with the intention of creating various thermal effects to achieve resection, incision, hemostasis, and devitalization of target tissues. The therapeutic basis of all electrosurgery is the production of thermal energy at the cellular level, typically as…

Preparation of the Patient for ERCP

The planning required for successful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is more complex than that for routine endoscopic procedures and requires the synthesis of multiple variables. Preparation for ERCP involves preparing not just the patient, but also the endoscopist, the endoscopy…

ERCP Training

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) continues to be one of the most technically challenging endoscopic procedures. Training in ERCP requires the mastery of a broad skill set for this procedure to be performed safely and effectively, given the higher rate and…

Sedation in ERCP

Unlike routine endoscopic procedures, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combines several unique challenges. Despite defined indications, the complexity and length of each procedure are often difficult to predict because of unforeseen challenges with cannulation and subsequent therapy. Patients are usually in…

Duodenoscope Reprocessing

An increasing amount of evidence suggests that Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–recommended measures for duodenoscope reprocessing are insufficient to guarantee against transmission of infection. As a result, improved techniques for endoscope reprocessing have attracted interest from many research groups. Reported…

Endoscopes, Guidewires, and Accessories

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has become the preferred technique for the management of patients with a variety of benign and malignant pancreaticobiliary disorders. Procedural success and safety depend to a large extent on proper patient selection for the appropriate indication,…