ERCP is the short name of the application called Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and is an endoscopy technique used for endoscopic examination and treatment of bile and pancreatic ducts. Just like other endoscopy methods, this procedure, which is applied with the help of an endoscope device with a light and camera at the end, is frequently used for diagnosis or treatment.
What is ERCP?
ERCP upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIS) It is an endoscopy method that combines x-ray and biliary system, thus helping to diagnose and treat health problems related to bile and pancreas. “What does ERCP mean?” or “What does ERCP stand for?” Questions such as bile and pancreatic duct endoscopy can be answered with a shorter definition. Bile ducts are the channels through which the bile secretion that is produced and stored in the gallbladder, which is located right next to the liver, is transmitted to the small intestines. Pancreatic ducts, on the other hand, take part in the transmission of digestive secretions containing enzymes produced in the pancreas to the intestine. Both the bile and pancreatic ducts open into the duodenum, that is, the duodenum. During the ERCP procedure, the progress of the dye in the channels is monitored by using an injectable dye by the physicians who are investigating any disease related to these regions or aiming to treat it. This examination using X-rays is a typical X-ray imaging. As with other endoscopy techniques, a long, flexible and lighted tube is used for endoscopy. With the help of this device, the inner parts of the channels in question can be viewed and therapeutic interventions can be made when necessary.
Why ERCP is done?
Under normal conditions, ERCP can be applied for both diagnosis and treatment. However, nowadays, as a result of developing medical opportunities, non-invasive methods that do not require physical access to the body are used instead of ERCP for diagnosis. Examples of this are tests such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). With the help of these applications, all kinds of health problems related to the pancreas and bile ducts can be diagnosed. ERCP application is generally used in the treatment of stenosis and obstruction in the bile and pancreatic ducts. used in the treatment. At the same time, it may be necessary to refer to ERCP for purposes such as investigating conditions such as unexplained abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin and white parts of the eyes (jaundice), and examination of biliary and pancreatic cancers. Apart from these, some of the conditions that require ERCP are as follows:
- The presence of gallstones in the gallbladder or in the bile ducts that cause obstruction
- Acute and chronic pancreatitis
- Infections
- Problems caused by trauma or surgical operation in the bile or pancreatic ducts
- Pseudocysts in the pancreas
- Pancreatic tumors and cancers
- Bile duct tumors and cancers
How Should Nutrition Be After ERCP?
After the ERCP procedure is completed, the patient is usually taken to a rest room and the necessary controls are made during this time. The patient's blood pressure is measured, his pulse and respiration are checked. If there is no problem, the patient can go home. A few hours after the procedure, food can be eaten unless otherwise recommended by the physician. It is useful to have the swallowing reflex completely returned to normal before starting to eat. It can be fed normally during diagnostic procedures. However, if any intervention has been made during ERCP, a liquid or soft food diet for a certain period of time may be recommended by the physician. After the examination, problems such as sore throat, bloating and nausea may be seen for a while. Therefore, it is beneficial to avoid the consumption of very hard, spicy, acidic foods until these ailments pass. In addition, patients suffering from bloating and nausea avoid consuming large amounts of food in a single meal, and feeding them less and frequently will help alleviate these problems. If there are drugs recommended to be used after the operation, the use of drugs can be started as recommended by the physician together with the start of nutrition. kept under observation in hospital conditions. Air-borne snow pumped into the pancreas and bile ducts during the procedure bloating may occur. “Is there any pain after ERCP?” The question can also be answered as yes, although it varies from person to person. Abdominal and sore throat are among the symptoms that can be seen after the procedure. In addition, nausea caused by anesthesia can be counted among the side effects of ERCP. Such complaints are usually short-lived and temporary. After the ERCP procedure, which does not cause any physical problems, patients can return to their daily lives and work. However, it is beneficial to rest at home on the day of the procedure. Some individuals may develop allergic reactions to the dyestuff used during the procedure. In this case, necessary interventions are carried out in the health institution. One of the most common complications associated with ERCP is pancreatitis. This discomfort, which can be explained as inflammation of the pancreas, is usually mild and usually does not require surgical intervention or hospitalization. However, although rare, there are risks of complications such as severe pancreatitis, inflammation of the gallbladder and ducts (Cholecystitis), perforation in the intestinal wall, and bleeding and tissue damage. Because of these, the person is usually given a control appointment. If serious ERCP complications such as fever, chills, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, blood in stools or black stools, severe abdominal pain, chest pain or shortness of breath are observed after the procedure, apart from the control appointment, health institutions should be consulted without waiting for the appointment date. ERCP is a widely used and highly effective method in the screening and treatment of diseases related to the bile ducts and pancreas. For this reason, if you have been recommended to have ERCP by your doctor, you can make your ERCP procedure by making your appointment and making the necessary preparations.
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