BACKGROUND: Although many reports describe the use of diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children, few mention therapeutic application of this technique in pediatric patients with pancreatic or biliary disease. METHODS: We report our 4-year experience of 80 ERCPs performed in 59 children for obstructive jaundice or cholestasis with dilatation of the biliary tree (32 children), biliary atresia (11), recurrent pancreatitis (8), and blunt trauma to the abdomen (8). RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 5 weeks to 18 years. The appropriate duct was cannulated in 94% of cases. Common bile duct sphincterotomy was performed in 35 patients and pancreatic duct sphincterotomy in one. Multiple procedures were done in 16 patients where biliary stents were inserted; in one patient with chronic pancreatitis and pancreaticolithiasis, pancreatic stent was inserted. Four patients developed mild pancreatitis, one had moderate pancreatitis and one had leak of contrast, which was treated by administration of clear fluids orally for one day. One patient with benign stenosis of the hepatic duct developed cholangitis after migration of the stent into the bowel lumen. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP can be done as safely and effectively in pediatric patients as in adults.

Department of Internal Medicine Charles University Prague Motol