Open AccessEndoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Infants
Author(s) -
Koot Bart G.P.,
Kelly Deirdre A.,
Hadzic Nedim,
Gonzales Emmanuel,
Hierro Loreto,
Davenport Mark,
Keil Radan,
Fockens Paul,
Baumann Ulrich
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1536-4801
pISSN - 0277-2116
DOI - 10.1097/mpg.0000000000002752
Subject(s) - medicine , endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography , hepatology , psychological intervention , pediatrics , clinical practice , intensive care medicine , general surgery , surgery , family medicine , nursing , pancreatitis
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in infants (younger than 1 year of age) is a highly specialized procedure. Since 2014 opportunities to maintain or purchase duodenoscopes for ERCP in infants have disappeared. In a survey among European hepatology centers (including Israel) we evaluated the availability, need, indications, and practice of ERCP procedures in infants. It shows that infant ERCP is a low‐volume procedure (median 5 procedures/year) in the 14 centers that perform this procedure. Since 2014 several centers no longer have an infant ERCP duodenoscope due to breakdown. In addition, substantial differences exist between centers in indications, types of interventions performed, and practical execution of ERCP procedures in infants. We conclude that a concerted effort by the pediatric hepatology community is needed to secure the future availability of infant ERCP. In addition, consensus on the indications and optimal use of infant ERCP could improve the quality of ERCP care for infants.