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ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) in India

Also known as ERCP, bile duct scope, ERCP with stent, endoscopic bile duct procedure

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) in India
Cost from$400 – $2,800 In hospitalDay care to 1 day Stay in India3-4 days Success90-95% Procedure time30-60 minutes AnaesthesiaSedation (general anaesthesia for complex cases) Opinion in24 hours

The short answer

ERCP in India costs between USD 400 and USD 2,800 for international patients, with a purely diagnostic procedure sitting at the lower end and stone removal or stent placement pushing it higher. It combines endoscopy and X-ray imaging to examine and treat the bile ducts and pancreatic duct, most often for gallstones stuck in the duct, duct narrowing, or blockages causing jaundice. Success rates run 90 to 95 percent for both diagnosis and common therapeutic interventions like stone removal and stenting.

About ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)

ERCP combines endoscopy with X-ray imaging to examine and treat the ducts that drain the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. A flexible scope is passed through the mouth to the point where these ducts open into the small intestine, and a contrast dye is injected so blockages, stones, or narrowing show up clearly on X-ray, often treated in the same sitting.

Procedures Available

Diagnostic ERCP examines the bile and pancreatic ducts and can include a biopsy or brush cytology if cancer is suspected. Stone removal clears gallstones or pancreatic duct stones that have become lodged, often the same stones causing pain or jaundice. Stent placement widens a duct narrowed by a stricture or tumour, using a plastic or metal stent depending on the case. Sphincterotomy, a small cut to the muscle controlling duct opening, is frequently performed alongside these interventions to make stone removal or stent placement easier.

Cost

The estimate covers sedation, the procedure itself, and any intervention performed in the same sitting. A purely diagnostic ERCP sits at the lower end of the range, while stone removal, sphincterotomy, and especially metal stent placement add to the cost given the additional equipment and technique involved.

How Long the Trip Takes

Most patients plan for 3 to 4 days in India, covering pre-procedure imaging to confirm ERCP is the right next step, the procedure with a short hospital stay for monitoring, and a follow-up check before travelling home.

Choosing a Hospital

Choose a gastroenterology department with a high-volume ERCP practice specifically, since technical success and the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, the main complication, are closely tied to operator experience. Confirm in advance whether a stent, if placed, is meant to be temporary or will need a planned follow-up procedure for removal or exchange.

Why patients choose India for this

Cost

ERCP in India costs a fraction of the same procedure in the US or UK, including therapeutic interventions like stenting.

High-volume expertise

Leading Indian gastroenterology and hepatobiliary centres perform ERCP regularly, supporting strong technical success rates.

Combined diagnosis and treatment

Stone removal, sphincterotomy, or stent placement are routinely performed in the same sitting as the diagnostic examination.

Fast scheduling

Evaluation and the procedure can typically be arranged within a day or two, which matters when duct blockage is causing jaundice or pain.

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) cost

CountryIndicative cost
India — with Nobel Medi Assistance $400 – $2,800
United States$6,000 - $12,000
United Kingdom$4,000 - $8,000
Singapore$3,000 - $6,000
Turkey$1,200 - $2,500

Figures are indicative for international patients and depend on the hospital, the surgeon and your reports. Your exact cost is confirmed in writing after a specialist review — free, and with no obligation.

What the estimate covers

Included

  • Pre-procedure consultation and imaging review
  • Sedation or anaesthesia
  • The ERCP procedure itself
  • Sphincterotomy or stone removal, where performed
  • Standard plastic stent, where used
  • Follow-up consultation before discharge

Not included

  • Flights and visa fees
  • Accommodation outside the hospital
  • Metal stent upgrade, where a plastic stent was originally quoted
  • A planned follow-up procedure for stent exchange or removal
  • Treatment for an underlying condition identified during the procedure, such as cancer
  • Extended hospital stay if complications like pancreatitis arise

How ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) is done

  1. EvaluationImaging such as MRCP or ultrasound confirms a duct problem suitable for ERCP before the procedure is scheduled.
  2. SedationSedation or, for complex cases, general anaesthesia keeps the patient comfortable throughout.
  3. Scope insertionThe endoscope is passed through the mouth to the point where the bile and pancreatic ducts open into the small intestine.
  4. Contrast and imagingDye is injected into the ducts and X-ray images identify stones, strictures, or blockages.
  5. InterventionStone removal, sphincterotomy, or stent placement is performed in the same sitting as needed.
  6. RecoveryThe patient is monitored for a few hours to overnight to watch for early signs of pancreatitis before discharge.

Recovery and what to expect

  • First 24 hoursMild bloating, throat discomfort, and grogginess from sedation are common; monitoring continues for any signs of pancreatitis.
  • Day 1-2Most patients are discharged once stable, with normal eating gradually resumed.
  • Day 2-3Follow-up consultation reviews findings and confirms recovery is on track.
  • Week 1Full recovery for most patients; those with a stent are advised on symptoms that would need attention before its planned removal or exchange.

Specialists who perform this

Where it is done

Frequently asked questions

How much does ERCP cost in India?
Between USD 400 and USD 2,800, depending on whether it is purely diagnostic or includes stone removal or stent placement.
Is ERCP painful?
No, sedation or anaesthesia keeps the procedure comfortable, and most patients recall little of it afterward.
What is the most common risk?
Post-ERCP pancreatitis is the main risk to watch for, which is why monitoring continues for several hours to overnight after the procedure.
What is the success rate?
Success rates run 90 to 95 percent for both diagnostic ERCP and common therapeutic interventions like stone removal and stenting.
How long is the hospital stay?
Typically day care to one night, depending on the intervention performed and how the patient responds.
When can I fly home?
Most patients are cleared to travel around 3 to 4 days after the procedure.
Will I need a second procedure later?
Sometimes, particularly if a stent is placed temporarily and needs to be removed or exchanged in a follow-up ERCP.

What would your ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) cost?

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