Technological advances in ERCP have appeared to plateau. Nonetheless, specific areas
within ERCP were well represented at this year’s Digestive Disease Week (DDW). These
areas are subdivided and discussed in detail. As expected, there remains concern about
prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Although pharmacologic therapy by using
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has clearly emerged as an alternative
and/or adjunct to pancreatic duct (PD) stents, stents seem to remain the mainstay
in the endoscopists’ armamentarium for the prevention of PEP. Other topics covered
included the use of cholangioscopy, diagnosis of biliary strictures, and treatment
of strictures by using stents and radiofrequency ablation.
