Outcomes of ERCP: prospective series from a rural centre

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an important procedure for the investigation and management of pancreaticobiliary disease. There is a recognized potential for significant morbidity, and a number of studies have identified patient and operator risk factors for the development of complications, including small case volume. We look at the outcomes of ERCP from a single operator at a rural centre and compare these with published figures. METHOD: Findings from 700 consecutive ERCP were collected prospectively between August 1997 and May 2006. Patients were included on an intention to treat basis, and all predetermined morbidity criteria were recorded. RESULTS: Five hundred and forty-four therapeutic and 156 diagnostic ERCP were included in the study. There were a total of 40 complications (5.71%), with three cases of ERCP-specific mortality (0.4%). The success of therapeutic intervention was 94.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of comparing personal audit to published prospective studies has been emphasized. This has provided quality assurance finding, confirming that comparable success rates, morbidity and mortality are possible in a low-volume rural centre with an operator who has been properly trained and has ongoing ties with a tertiary hepatobiliary unit, a dedicated and skilled local team and suitable patient selection.