ERCP services resumed at Nobel

BIRATNAGAR: MARCH. 23 – Nobel Teaching Hospital in Biratnagar has resumed ERCP services. The service, which had been shut down for nearly two years due to COVID-19, has now been reopened to remove bile duct stones without making an incision.

ERCP is a method of removing bile duct stones by inserting an endoscope through the mouth. Typically, bile duct stones are removed by cutting both the stomach and the bile duct. The bile duct is also incised using the laparoscopic method.

The ERCP method, on the other hand, is used to remove the stone by inserting an endoscope through the mouth without making any incisions. This method is thought to be very relaxing and comfortable to the patient.

This treatment method, which is only used in a few Nepal hospitals, was pioneered by Nobel in Eastern Nepal in 2075 BS. However, the service was halted due to an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

With the influence of COVID-19 waning, a team led by Nobel laureates Dr. Mohan Khadka and Dr. Amit Bhattarai has resumed ERCP.

Previously, bile duct stones were removed using chiropractic or laparoscopic methods. During the operation, both the abdomen and the bile duct should be ruptured. Stones can only be removed using the laparoscopic method by making a hole in the abdomen and cutting the bile duct.

According to doctors, removing a stone from a bile duct can take a long time to heal, can be difficult to heal, and can lead to infection.

However, since the endoscope is inserted through the mouth and the stone is pulled out by the ERCP method, the patient is not much affected. According to Dr. Bhattarai, the patient can return home in two days as there are no injuries. “The ERCP method is very effective in removing bile duct stones,” says Dr Bhattarai.

According to doctors, this method is also useful for treating patients with jaundice caused by cancer or stones in the bile duct, as well as detecting cancer of the intestine and pancreas.