Background/aims: The diagnostic and therapeutic utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been well demonstrated for biliary and pancreatic diseases. Biliary access can be allowed by infundibulotomy if failed by using the standard cannulation methods. However, no data are available regarding ERCP-related complications in patients taking antiplatelet agents who are undergoing infundibulotomy. Therefore, we aimed to assess the frequency of ERCP-related complications after infundibulotomy in patients taking antiplatelet agents.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study, and enrolled 835 patients who underwent ERCP at Pusan National University Hospital from January 2011 to December 2012. Seventy-two patients had been taking antiplatelet agents prior to the procedure. Patients were classified into two groups according to the utilization of infundibulotomy: 20 patients underwent infundibulotomy (group 1), and 52 patients did not undergo infundibulotomy (group 2). Complications after ERCP were defined as bleeding, post-ERCP pancreatitis, and perforation according to Cotton's criteria.
Results: Between group 1 and 2, there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics. ERCP was successfully performed in all cases. Clinically significant bleeding was observed in one patient in group 1 (5%, 1/20) versus none in group 2. Post-ERCP pancreatitis was observed in 2 patients (10.0%, 2/20) in group 1, and 7 patients (13.5%, 7/52) in group 2 (p=0.691). However, none of these differences were statistically significant. No perforation occurred in both groups.
Conclusions: Considering the low incidence of bleeding after infundibulotomy in patients taking antiplatelet agents, infundibulotomy may be safely performed in this group of patients.