Approaching 50 Years: The History of ERCP

Abstract The last 50 years in medicine have witnessed remarkable achievements in gastroenterology and direct endoscopic visualization of the gastrointestinal tract. Direct access to the biliary and pancreatic ducts nonoperatively was unfathomable until the development of the initial duodenoscopes in the 1960s. ERCP was born initially as a diagnostic modality to assess diseases of the pancreaticobiliary system. With advancements in endoscope design, imaging technology, and catheter and instrument developments, ERCP has grown into a predominately therapeutic modality. In this chapter, we chronicle the accomplishments of the pioneers of ERCP decade by decade.