Avoiding the complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopists should be familiar with the complications of ERCP and prophylactic strategies. PEP carries a significant morbidity and economic burden, but its occurrence is par for the course when performing ERCP. Future studies should concentrate on elucidating further the pathophysiology of PEP and predicting cases that result in severe complications (severe if hospitalization was greater than 10 days along with the presence of pseudocyst, pancreatic necrosis, need for percutaneous drainage or surgery, or death).