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  • Dr. Erhart and Dr. Heer in the waiting area

    Endoscopic
    retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

    What you need to know:

Dear Patient,

You have been referred to us by your doctor for an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. We would like to explain how this procedure works and what you need to know as a patient: The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combines an extended gastroscopy and an x-ray examination.

Preparation:

Please note that you need to have an empty stomach for your ERCP. This means that you may only have a light evening meal on the evening before your examination and no food until after your appointment. Drinking is permitted until midnight before your examination.

Procedure:

Based on the complexity of the examination, this is performed in the presence of an anaesthetist in a hospital (usually as an outpatient). The examination itself is performed by Dr. Erhart at Olten Cantonal Hospital. For a regularly scheduled examination you will have a preliminary discussion with Dr. Erhart and the anaesthetist a few days before the procedure (you will discuss all your medication which is why we ask you to bring with you a list of all medications that you take regularly) and on the morning of the examination you will be assigned a bed in the clinical interdisciplinary day ward at Olten Cantonal Hospital. For the examination, which can last from 10 to 60 minutes, a flexible tube (endoscope) is used that goes into your mouth. The examination is performed under anaesthesia so you will be asleep during the investigation. You will wake up quickly after the examination, however you will rest for a few hours on the day ward before having a follow-up consultation with the doctor and being discharged (usually in the evening). Please note that you must not drive or operate machinery following your examination. Please organise someone to collect you.

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