During the examination, we will do everything to make you feel as comfortable as possible. Prior to the procedure, you will be injected with a medication which will calm you down, or sometimes with such medication that will make you sleepy. Your pharynx will be numbed with a local anaesthetic. In order to protect the teeth, we will insert a mouthpiece in your mouth. While you are lying on your left side, the doctor will introduce the endoscope. The endoscope should not cause any pain, and you may also continue to even breathing problems you’ll have.
Sphincterotomy: If the X-ray imaging shows gallstones or any other cause of obstruction, the doctor will cut the bile duct. This procedure (sphincterotomy) will be carried out utilizing a special electric cutting instrument (sphincterotome or needle knife), and you will not feel anything. Smaller stones will fall into duodenum on their own, while larger will be crushed and then retrieved with a special basket.
Endoprosthesis (stent): stent is a small tube, which is inserted through the endoscope, and then through the bile duct stricture, which restores the unobstructed flow of bile. Stents are also inserted into the pancreatic duct, if it is narrowed or closed.
Nasobiliary probe: sometimes a transient (a few days) insertion of a special tube into the bile or pancreatic duct is required; it is inserted through the nose. It enables drainage and adequate rinsing of the ducts, as well as X-ray imaging to check whether the bile duct is clear. Such probe causes some discomfort only at the beginning, but it does not interfere with the consumption of food and liquids.