The patient's throat is sprayed with a topical anesthetic. Intravenous sedatives may be administered during procedure. An endoscope is passed through the mouth, esophagus, stomach and into the duodenum. The opening from the bile duct into the duodenum is identified. A cannula is then passed through the endoscope into this opening and directed into the biliary tree and pancreatic duct.
Contrast material is injected and radiographs are taken.
The patient may experience epigastric distension or a degree of abdominal discomfort.