Evaluation of guidewire cannulation in reduced risk of post - ERCP pancreatitis and facilitated bile duct cannulation

Background: Pancreatitis is most common complication of post-ERCP and needs to admission at least for one day. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of guide wire for better common bile duct (CBD) cannulation for reducing post-ERCP pancreatitis. Methods: From April 2010 through March 2011, the patients who needed ERCP and referred to Shahid Beheshti and Rouhani Teaching Hospital were entered into the study. Guidewire cannulation (65 subjects) as case group and 78 cases with standard cannulation as control group were performed on them randomly. Data from these cases were collected and analyzed. Results: One hundred eighteen (82.5%) patients were females and 28 (17.5%) were males. The mean age of these patients was 56.5±16.8 years. Post- ERCP pancreatitis rate in guidewire group was 6 (9.2%) and in the standard group was 12 (15.4%) (p=0.269). Successful cannulation in these two groups was 67.7% and 67.9%, respectively (p=0.974). Conclusion: The results show that post- ERCP pancreatitis rate in both groups are similar. Other studies with large number of cases are required to confirm our results.