This procedure is done at the hospital, but is an outpatient procedure.  You will get sedation prior to the procedure to make the exam more comfortable for you. 
You will need a family member or friend to drive you home.

Dr. Rosenbaum will place a small camera at the end of a thin, flexible tube into your mouth and down the esophagus, into the stomach, and then into the duodenum
(the first part of the small intestines).  In the duodenum, the instrument is positioned near the papilla, the point at which the main bile duct and pancreatic duct empties into the intestine. A small tube known as a cannula is threaded down through the endoscope and can be directed into either the pancreatic or common bile duct. The cannula allows a special liquid contrast material, a dye, to be injected through the ducts.

A special x-ray is then used to visualize the contrast in the bile ducts.  This way, the doctor can search for a widening, thinning or obstruction of the bile ducts.  If a gallstone is found in the bile ducts, this can usually be removed during the procedure.  If needed, a stent can be placed in the bile duct or pancreatic duct to open up the area.

Please let Dr. Rosenbaum or his staff know if you are taking any medications such as Aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn, Plavix, Coumadin, Iron pills, or Diabetes medications.  These will need to be adjusted prior to the procedure.