Recovery after an ERCP

An ERCP is used to diagnose and treat problems with your biliary system. This system makes, stores and transports a fluid called bile, which helps your body to digest fat.

After the ERCP, you might have some tummy (abdomen) pain, bloating or discomfort when swallowing for a few days.

If you had sedation or a general anaesthetic and are leaving hospital within 24 hours, you must have someone to take you home and stay with you overnight. This person must be at least 18 years old.

Recovering after an ERCP

The nurse takes you to a recovery area. They check your pulse and blood pressure (observations) regularly, and monitor you for any complications.

• You need to stay in the endoscopy unit for 4 to 6 hours. This allows us to check if you have any complications.
• If you are being transferred to your own hospital by ambulance, you will need to stay in the endoscopy unit until you are fully awake. This usually takes at least 1 hour.

Usual medicines

Keep taking your usual medicines, unless we tell you not to. If you were asked to stop any medicines before the procedure, your doctor or nurse will tell you when you can start taking them again.

Eating and drinking

In most cases, you can eat as usual when you are fully awake. Sometimes, however, we might ask you not to eat anything for 12 hours or more. This depends on what type of treatment you had during the ERCP.

Your doctor or nurse gives you more information on how long to wait before eating and drinking after your ERCP. They also tell you if you need a soft diet and when you can start eating solid foods again.

After you leave hospital

If you had sedation or a general anaesthetic and are going home within 24 hours, you must have someone to take you home and stay with you overnight. This person must be at least 18 years old.

You need to rest at home. The sedation lasts longer than you might think. Please follow these instructions for the first 24 hours after sedation.

Side effects after an ERCP

You might have discomfort when swallowing for at least 48 hours after an ERCP. This discomfort can last for several weeks, but it gets better.

If you have any bloating or tummy discomfort, this might be from the air that we put into your stomach during the procedure. This is normal and should settle within 24 hours.

If the bloating or tummy discomfort does not settle, try to release the trapped wind. You can do this by moving about and changing position. Warm drinks or peppermint might also help. Try peppermint tea or peppermint water (you can buy this at a pharmacy).

We give you pain medicine into your bottom (a suppository) before the end of the procedure. This reduces the risk of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

You can take simple painkillers, such as paracetamol, after an ERCP. You can buy them from a pharmacy or shop. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

Results of your ERCP

Your doctor or nurse will talk to you about the procedure and any next steps, before you leave hospital. However, it might be hard to remember the details if you are sleepy.

We send your results to the doctor who referred you for the test (your GP or hospital doctor). When you leave hospital, we also give you an endoscopy report. Many GPs do not get this report on their system for about 10 to 14 days after your procedure.

Follow-up appointment

If your results suggest that you need a follow-up appointment, the patient access team at the hospital will contact you to arrange this.

We usually send you details of the follow-up appointment, but if your case is urgent, we will give you the details of the appointment on the day of your ERCP.