Bile duct stones, obstructive jaundice, narrowing of the bile duct and certain pancreatic duct disorders may require specialised endoscopic treatment. While reviewing advanced gastrointestinal procedures in Mumbai, I examined the ERCP services provided at Globus Gastroenterology Hospital and the clinical profile of Dr. Vedant Karvir. For patients considering ERCP treatment in Mumbai, it is useful to understand why the procedure is recommended, how it works, what conditions it can address and what patients can expect before and after treatment.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, commonly called ERCP, is an advanced endoscopic procedure used to diagnose and treat selected problems involving the bile ducts and pancreatic ducts. At Globus, ERCP is described particularly in the context of jaundice caused by obstruction of the bile or pancreatic ducts, with interventions such as common bile duct and pancreatic duct stenting.
ERCP combines endoscopy and X-ray imaging to access the bile and pancreatic ducts through the digestive tract. A flexible endoscope is passed through the mouth, through the stomach and into the first part of the small intestine. The doctor can then access the opening where the bile and pancreatic ducts drain and perform the required intervention.
Unlike a purely diagnostic endoscopy, ERCP is primarily used when treatment is required. At Globus, the procedure is listed for relieving obstruction of the bile or pancreatic ducts, including situations involving obstructive jaundice. The hospital also lists ERCP with common bile duct and pancreatic duct stenting among its advanced endoscopic services.
ERCP may be considered when a patient has a condition causing blockage, narrowing or another problem in the biliary or pancreatic duct system. Common clinical situations can include stones in the common bile duct, obstructive jaundice, bile duct strictures and selected pancreatic duct disorders.
Gallstones can sometimes move from the gallbladder into the common bile duct. When a stone obstructs the normal flow of bile, patients may develop jaundice, abdominal pain, dark urine, pale stools or other symptoms. In appropriate cases, ERCP can be used to remove the obstruction.
The procedure may also be considered when a duct is narrowed because of a benign stricture or another underlying disease. In selected cases, a stent can be positioned to keep the duct open and facilitate drainage.
**Dr. Vedant H. Karvir is a Hepato-Gastroenterologist and Interventional Endoscopist based in western Mumbai. According to his professional profile, he completed his MBBS in Kolhapur, followed by a three-year MD programme with research in gastroenterology and hepatology. He then completed a three-year fellowship in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department at KEM Hospital, Mumbai.**
His areas of professional interest include hepatology and therapeutic endoscopy. Globus states that he has more than 12 years of experience in gastroenterology, hepatology and therapeutic endoscopy. The hospital’s professional information also reports more than 15,000 gastroscopies and more than 3,000 colonoscopies performed by him.
His procedural experience includes complicated gastrointestinal bleeding management, removal of foreign bodies from the food pipe, oesophageal dilatation, ERCP for stone removal from the common bile duct and PEG feeding tube insertion.
Patients looking for a gastroenterologist in Mumbai may therefore consider both specialist training and hands-on experience with therapeutic endoscopy when evaluating their treatment options.
Bile produced by the liver travels through a network of ducts before reaching the intestine. When a stone, narrowing or other obstruction blocks this pathway, bile cannot drain normally. This can result in jaundice and, in some cases, infection or other complications.
During ERCP, the endoscope provides access to the duct opening in the duodenum. The doctor can use specialised instruments to perform an intervention based on the cause of the blockage. Depending on the diagnosis, this may include removal of a stone or placement of a stent.
At Globus, ERCP is specifically described as an endoscopic procedure used in jaundice to relieve obstruction of the bile or pancreatic duct.