Gallbladder disease in northwestern Ontario: the case for Canada’s first rural ERCP program
La maladie de la vésicule biliaire dans le nord-ouest de l'Ontario : le cas pour le premier programme rural d'ERCP au Canada
Eric Touzin, Chris Decker, Len Kelly, Bryanne Minty
Details
ISSN Number: 12037796
Language: English/French
Format: PDF
Pages: 19–24
Content Summary
The article discusses the high incidence of gallbladder disease in northwestern Ontario, where the cholecystectomy rate is double the provincial average. It proposes the establishment of a rural endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) program to address the high demand for gallbladder-related procedures, which currently require costly patient transfers to urban centers. The study highlights the potential for significant cost savings and improved patient care by implementing a local ERCP service, given the region's unique demographic and geographic challenges.