Published online Oct 27, 2023. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i10.2272
Peer-review started: August 3, 2023
First decision: August 16, 2023
Revised: August 24, 2023
Accepted: September 6, 2023
Article in press: September 6, 2023
Published online: October 27, 2023
Processing time: 85 Days and 1.6 Hours
This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pediatric patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 57 ERCP procedures performed in 41 children, primarily for treating pancreatic diseases. The overall success rate was 91.2%, with no major complications observed. Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) occurred in 8.8% of cases. Follow-up examinations over one year showed no recurrence of biliary or pancreatic diseases. Notably, endoscopic treatment led to a significant increase in body mass index (BMI). These findings demonstrate the valuable role of ERCP in managing such conditions.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ERCP for the management of biliary and pancreatic diseases in pediatric patients.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from children aged 1-18 years who underwent ERCP for biliary and pancreatic diseases at Beijing Children’s Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022. The collected data included procedure time, endoscopic treatment, success rate, and postoperative complications.
Forty-one children underwent 57 ERCP procedures, including 14 with biliary duct disease and 27 with pancreatic disease. The mean age of the patients was 7.48 ± 3.48 years. Biliary duct-related treatments were performed 18 times, and pancreatic disease treatments were performed 39 times. ERCP was primarily used to treat pediatric pancreatic diseases [68.4% (39/57) of the procedures]. The overall success rate was 91.2% (52/57 patients). PEP was noted in five patients (8.8%, 5/57), and no instances of bleeding, perforation, or cholangitis were observed. The patients were followed up for over one year, and no recurrence of biliary or pancreatic diseases was detected. Importantly, BMI significantly increased after endoscopic treatment compared to that before treatment (P = 0.001).
The high success rate and lack of major complications support the valuable role of ERCP in the management of pediatric biliary and pancreatic diseases in the pediatric population.
Core Tip: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pediatric patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases. In total, 57 ERCP procedures were performed in 41 children, primarily for the treatment of pancreatic diseases. The overall success rate was 91.2% with no instances of bleeding, perforation, or cholangitis. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 8.8% of the cases. The patients were followed up for over one year, and no recurrence of biliary or pancreatic diseases was detected. Importantly, endoscopic treatment significantly increased body mass index. These findings highlighted the valuable role of ERCP in managing these conditions.