Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP can be used to find stones in the bile duct, as described in the diagnosis section. When stones are detected, the doctor can widen the bile duct opening and pull the stones into the intestine. This is commonly done when the gallbladder is being removed laparoscopically or when a stone is found in the duct long after gallbladder surgery. If a patient is too frail to undergo gallbladder surgery, it also may be performed to relieve symptoms from a bile duct stone, even when other stones are present in the gallbladder.