10. ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an exacting and challenging endoscopic technique and in this sample 13% (237/1,818) of patients underwent ERCP. ERCP has a reported complication rate of between 10 and 14%, with a death rate of 0.1
to 1%^{1 2}. Complications are directly related to both patient selection and the experience
of the operator^{3 4 5}. It is a serious concern that trainees accredited in gastroenterology who
are not always competent in ERCP and related techniques have reported their intention to perform this procedure without supervision or further training^{6 7}. With the exception of the
Joint Advisory Group (JAG) guidelines for training⁸, there are currently no British Society
of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidelines specifically relating to ERCP, but this is the focus
of an in-depth audit by the BSG that commenced in March 2004.