The use of ERCP during pregnancy: is it safe and effective?

Abstract

Cholangitis and pancreatitis are the most gruesome complications that can be potentially fatal for the mother and fetus. The management of bile stone disease complicated with duct stones during pregnancy is challenging. Conservative treatment instead of surgery has always been advocated due to the increased risk for fetal compromise. Minimally invasive therapy with ERCP has been suggested as an effective therapeutic option for the management of pancreaticobiliary diseases during pregnancy. The main topics of discussion are the risks stemming from the endoscopic procedure itself, drugs used for sedation and the adverse effects of radiation exposure on the fetus. In this manuscript, we want to present the efficiency and feasibility of the ERCP for the management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases in pregnancy.