The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in small children and adolescents.

Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed on 16 patients aged 2 months to 18 years at Jordan University Hospital in the period between May 1990 to January 1993. The adult side-viewing duodenoscope was used, and visualization of appropriate ductal system was accomplished in 100% of the cases with no complications. Intravenous sedation was used in 69% of the cases with diazepam and pethidine (meperidine). ERCP provided valuable additional information in patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. However, it did not demonstrate significant pathology in patients with otherwise unexplained abdominal pain. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was successfully performed on four infants and small children with common bile duct stones. It is concluded that ERCP and ES are relatively easy and safe techniques when applied to infants and children with pancreatobiliary disorders.