Our Experience with Pediatric Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in a Tertiary Care Setup

Background: Pediatric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialized procedure primarily performed in tertiary care centers due to its complexity and the need for advanced expertise. This study aims to evaluate the indications, success rates, and complications associated with pediatric ERCP in a tertiary care setting. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients who underwent ERCP at our tertiary care center from January 2018 to August 2024. Data on patient demographics, indications for ERCP, procedural details, success rates, and complications were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 58 pediatric ERCPs were performed during the study period. The median age of patients was 9–12 years, with 50% male and 50% female. The most common indications for ERCP included biliary obstruction, chronic pancreatitis, and choledochal cysts. Technical success was achieved in 98% of cases. Therapeutic interventions such as sphincterotomy (15.4%), stent placement (67.1%), and stone extraction (72.3%) were performed for both pancreatico biliary stone diseases. Only minor complications occurred in 34.4% of procedures, with postprocedure abdominal pain being the most common. Conclusions: Pediatric ERCP in a tertiary care setup demonstrates high technical success and therapeutic efficacy with an acceptable complication rate. Our experience underscores the importance of specialized training and multidisciplinary collaboration in managing complex pediatric hepatopancreaticobiliary disorders.