An ERCP clinic visit helps your gastroenterology team review symptoms, lab results, imaging, and medical history to decide whether ERCP is the right diagnostic or treatment option for a bile duct or pancreatic duct concern.
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Bharat Pothuri, MD, FACG | Updated 06-01-2026
Your visit usually focuses on why ERCP is being considered, whether other imaging has already been done, and whether the benefits of duct evaluation or treatment outweigh the risks.
An ERCP clinic helps determine if ERCP is appropriate for duct-related concerns such as jaundice, bile duct stones, strictures, duct leaks, or selected pancreatitis cases. Your team may review recent labs, ultrasound, CT, MRI/MRCP, prior procedures, medications, and sedation risk before recommending the next step.
Bring relevant labs, imaging reports, prior endoscopy reports, medication lists, and allergy information.
Your doctor should explain why ERCP is being considered and what alternatives may exist.
If ERCP is appropriate, your team reviews fasting, sedation, transportation, and follow-up instructions.
These questions can help you understand whether ERCP is the right fit and what may happen during the procedure.
Ask whether the goal is to confirm a duct problem, remove a stone, place a stent, widen a narrowing, or collect a sample.
ERCP usually requires a procedure setting with sedation, X-ray imaging, recovery monitoring, and advanced endoscopy support.
Blood thinners, diabetes medicines, allergies, and prior anesthesia issues should be reviewed before scheduling.
Fever with jaundice, severe pain, vomiting, confusion, or worsening illness may require urgent medical attention.
Follow-up depends on why ERCP is recommended and what is found during the procedure.
Stones may be removed when appropriate, and your doctor may discuss gallbladder or bile duct follow-up.
Your doctor may recommend sampling, dilation, stenting, repeat imaging, or additional evaluation.
Some stents need follow-up, removal, or exchange depending on the reason for placement.
Your care team may review other possible causes and recommend additional tests if symptoms continue.
Watch this ERCP overview, then follow the written instructions from your GastroDoxs care team for your exact fasting, medication guidance, sedation planning, arrival time, and recovery instructions.
| If biliary ERCP may be needed for bile duct stones, blocked bile ducts, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, pancreatitis concerns, bile leaks, or unexplained upper abdominal symptoms, use the scheduling page to understand appointment options. | . See ERCP scheduling options.
Clinics that coordinate ERCP should be able to evaluate whether diagnostic review or treatment may be needed. ERCP itself is often performed in a setting equipped for sedation, imaging, and duct-based intervention.
ERCP treatment is used for selected bile duct and pancreatic duct problems, including stones, strictures, leaks, blocked ducts, and stent placement when a duct needs drainage or support.
ERCP is not open surgery. It is an advanced endoscopic procedure, but it can still carry risks and should be planned with a specialist who understands bile duct and pancreatic duct disease.
Many ERCP procedures are outpatient or same-day procedures, but some patients may need hospital observation depending on their condition, procedure complexity, infection risk, pancreatitis risk, or recovery after sedation.
ERCP may be used in pancreatitis when there is a suspected obstructing bile duct stone, duct blockage, or specific pancreatic duct issue. It is not needed for every case of pancreatitis.
Some patients have temporary throat soreness, bloating, or mild discomfort after ERCP. Severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, black stools, or worsening symptoms should be reported urgently.
An ERCP clinic evaluates symptoms, labs, imaging, and medical history to decide whether ERCP is appropriate. The actual procedure is usually coordinated in a procedure setting with advanced endoscopy support.
Look for a gastroenterology practice that evaluates bile duct, pancreatic duct, jaundice, gallstone, and pancreatitis concerns, and ask whether ERCP coordination and specialist interpretation are available.
A regular GI office may evaluate digestive symptoms, while an ERCP-focused clinic or advanced endoscopy program specifically reviews duct-related problems and coordinates ERCP when medically appropriate.
Ask why ERCP is being considered, what imaging or lab results are needed, whether treatment may be performed, what risks apply to you, how sedation works, and what follow-up will be needed.