Teaching endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cannulation

In the last two decades, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has evolved from a diagnostic procedure to an almost exclusively therapeutic one. Contemporaneously, many different catheters have become available for cannulation and special techniques have also been developed for difficult cases. ERCP is a skill demanding procedure that can lead to severe complications and death. Teaching ERCP is the most difficult task in an endoscopic training program. Training programs in ERCP must be effective, standardized and structured. Furthermore, robust standards for certification and revalidation are required to ensure ERCP as effective and as safe as possible.