Clinical and radiographic features can be used to determine the surgical or conservative treatment of ERCP-related duodenal perforations, whereas patient age and intraoperative findings can determine the final outcome and morbidity or mortality. The interval between the perforation and the operation is of great significance. The mortality rate increases dramatically with late surgical management (>24 h). An algorithm for the selective management of ERCP-induced duodenal perforations is proposed.

Perforations from diagnostic colonoscopy usually are large enough to warrant surgical management, whereas perforations from therapeutic colonoscopy usually are small, leading to successful nonoperative treatment. Over the last decade, the surgical treatment of colonoscopic perforations has evolved, as there has been a trend that favors primary repair versus bowel resection with successful outcome. Careful observation and clinical care adherent to strict guidelines for patients treated nonoperatively is appropriate in order to minimize morbidity and mortality and identify early those who may benefit from operation. Each treatment, however, has to be individualized according to the patients' comorbidities and clinical status, as well as the specific conditions during the colonoscopy that lead to the perforation.

Laparoscopic revision is a successful technique for salvage of occluded peritoneal catheters.