AIM: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography and associated therapeutic procedures are widely used in routine clinical practice. The changes in the upper gastrointestinal anatomy after a Billroth II anastomosis may present technical difficulties at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography. METHODS AND PATIENTS: The case records of all patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography at our Unit from January 1985 to December 1995 were reviewed. All patients who had had a previous Billroth II anastomosis or gastroenteroanastomosis were included in this analysis. Of the 5994 procedures performed, 124 patients with Billroth II surgery and 10 with a gastroenteroanastomosis were identified. RESULTS: In these patients, the papilla was located in 89% of cases from 1985 to 1990 and in 100% of cases from 1991 to 1995. Overall, the success rates for pancreatography, cholangiography, and endoscopic sphincterotomy were 94%, 97.7%, and 100%, respectively. The morbidity and mortality rates were 7.4% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy is similar to that of a normal population.
AIM: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography and associated therapeutic procedures are widely used in routine clinical practice. The changes in the upper gastrointestinal anatomy after a Billroth II anastomosis may present technical difficulties at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography. METHODS AND PATIENTS: The case records of all patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography at our Unit from January 1985 to December 1995 were reviewed. All patients who had had a previous Billroth II anastomosis or gastroenteroanastomosis were included in this analysis. Of the 5994 procedures performed, 124 patients with Billroth II surgery and 10 with a gastroenteroanastomosis were identified. RESULTS: In these patients, the papilla was located in 89% of cases from 1985 to 1990 and in 100% of cases from 1991 to 1995. Overall, the success rates for pancreatography, cholangiography, and endoscopic sphincterotomy were 94%, 97.7%, and 100%, respectively. The morbidity and mortality rates were 7.4% and 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopacreatography in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy is similar to that of a normal population.