A0425 - A Study of ERCP Perforations Over 12 Years From the National Endoscopic Database: Effect of Procedural Volumes, Duration and Complexity

Introduction: Perforation during ERCP is rare (< 1%) but potentially fatal event (up to 20% mortality). Given its rarity, most data is through study of case series from large centers or analysis of large databases. Although a meta-analysis has shown fewer adverse events as a composite (bleeding, pancreatitis, perforation) during ERCP performed at high volume centers, there is very little real-world data on endoscopist and center procedural volumes, ERCP duration, and complexity on the occurrence of perforation.

Methods: Patients from Clinical Outcome Research Initiative National Endoscopic Database CORI-NED (2000-2012) who underwent ERCP were stratified based on the endoscopist’s volume (quartiles), center’s volume (quartiles), total procedure duration and complexity grade of the ERCP based on procedure details. Effects of these variables on the perforations that occurred were studied. Continuous variables were compared between perforations (P) and no perforations (NP) using the unpaired t-test with statistical significance set at p< 0.05 (2-tailed).

Results: A total of 14,153 ERCPs were performed by 258 endoscopists with 20 reported perforations (0.14%) among 16 endoscopists. Mean patient age in years ± 61.6 ± 14.8 vs 58.1 ±18.8 (P vs NP, p=NS, Figure 1a). Cannulation rate was 100% and 91.5% for P and NP respectively. 13/20 (65%) of endoscopists were high volume performers in the 4^th quartile and 11/20 (55%) of perforations occurred in centers with the highest volumes (4^th quartile). Total procedure duration in minutes was 40.33 ± 23.5 vs 60.1 ± 29.9 (P vs NP, p=0.008, highly significant, Figure 1b). Fluoroscopy duration in minutes was 3.3 ± 2.3 vs 3.3 ± 2.6 (P vs NP p=NS, Fig 1c). 50% of the procedures were complex and greater than grade 1 difficulty (Table 1). 3/20 (15%) patients had prior biliary surgery. 13/20 (65%) had sphincterotomies performed with stent insertion. Peritonitis occurred in only 1/20 (0.5%), (Table 1).

Discussion: Overall adverse events as a composite during ERCP are known to occur at a lower rate with higher volume endoscopists and centers. However, perforations studied from the national database have shown prolonged and more complex procedures performed by high volume endoscopists at high volume centers contributing to perforations. This is likely a result of high-risk procedures undertaken in patients with complex pathology at tertiary and quaternary centers.