ERCP & Bile Duct Stone Removal in Lucknow
ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) is a specialised endoscopic procedure used to remove stones and relieve blockages in the bile duct — the channel that carries bile from the liver to the intestine. It is performed through the mouth using a flexible scope, with no external cut, and is the usual way to clear a stone that has passed from the gallbladder into the bile duct.
At Medanta in Lucknow, Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma works within a team where ERCP and gallbladder surgery are available together, so bile-duct stones can be managed seamlessly.
What ERCP is used for
ERCP is mainly a therapeutic procedure — used to treat, not just to diagnose, problems of the bile and pancreatic ducts:
- Removing stones lodged in the common bile duct (CBD stones)
- Relieving jaundice caused by a blocked bile duct
- Treating infection of the bile (cholangitis) by draining the duct
- Placing a stent to keep a narrowed duct open in selected cases
How ERCP is performed
ERCP is carried out under sedation or anaesthesia. A flexible endoscope is passed through the mouth and stomach to the point where the bile duct opens into the intestine. Using X-ray guidance and fine instruments, the stone is removed and the duct is cleared, relieving the blockage. Because there is no external incision, recovery is quick.
ERCP and gallbladder surgery together
Bile-duct stones come from the gallbladder, so clearing the duct by ERCP is usually followed by removal of the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) to prevent further stones — generally during the same admission or shortly afterwards. Having both available in one centre allows the safest, most efficient plan for each patient.
Recovery and safety
Most patients recover quickly after ERCP and are observed for a short period afterwards. As with any procedure, ERCP carries some risks — including a small chance of pancreatitis — which the team will explain, and which are minimised by careful technique and appropriate patient selection within a fully equipped centre.
Your treatment pathway
- 1
Assessment & imaging
Blood tests and an MRCP scan confirm a bile-duct stone before the procedure.
- 2
ERCP
An endoscopic procedure under sedation to remove the stone and clear the duct.
- 3
Short recovery
A period of observation after the procedure, with no external incision to heal.
- 4
Gallbladder surgery
Laparoscopic gallbladder removal follows, to prevent further stones.
ERCP (Bile Duct Stone Removal): common questions
Is ERCP surgery?
ERCP is an endoscopic procedure, not an operation — it is performed through the mouth with a flexible scope and no external cut. It is the usual way to remove a stone trapped in the bile duct and to relieve a blockage causing jaundice.
Will I still need my gallbladder removed after ERCP?
Usually yes. Because bile-duct stones come from the gallbladder, removing the gallbladder by keyhole surgery after the duct is cleared prevents further stones from forming and migrating. This is generally done during the same admission or soon after.
Considering ercp (bile duct stone removal)?
Book a consultation with Dr Sandeep Kumar Verma for a clear assessment and a treatment plan tailored to you.