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Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems of the bile and pancreatic duct by combining upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and X-rays. For diagnostic purposes, the procedure is performed to find the cause of obstructive jaundice, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic tumor. For therapeutic purposes, the procedure can be performed to extract gallstones or other biliary debris, to treat the sphincter of Oddi (endoscopic sphincterotomy), to insert a stent into the common bile duct and/or the pancreatic duct, and to dilate the strictures.
Most of ERCP are carried out under local anesthetic, but in some cases, you may receive a general anesthetic. Your doctor inserts the endoscope (a long flexible tube with light and camera on its end) through your mouth and down to the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Then, your doctor passes a tube through the endoscope and injects a dye, which will highlight the organ on the X-ray.
You can leave the hospital on the same day of the procedure or you may need to stay overnight. You’ll likely discuss the result of the diagnosis once you regained consciousness or the next day of the procedure. Plan to stay in Belgium for 2 to 3 days to allow for a recovery period.
You must rest for at least 24 hours and you should be able to resume your normal activities the next day after the surgery, but make sure to take things easy for a couple of days.
You will need to avoid strenuous activities for several days and follow a special diet during your recovery period. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for yourself after the procedure.
ECRP is safe and effective. However, it has been estimated that the procedure carries around 3.5 to 5 percent risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Other side effects and risks associated with ECRP include infection of the gallbladder or the bile duct, excessive bleeding (hemorrhage), perforation in the pancreatic or bile ducts, tissue damage from X-ray exposure, and an abnormal reaction to the sedative. Complications occur in about 5 to 10 percent of all ERCP procedures.
If ERCP is not the right procedure for you, your alternatives include endoscopic ultrasound, CT Scan, and MRI or MRCP (a special MRI of the bile ducts).
The result of ERCP will help your doctor confirm their diagnosis about your health problem, which will help them consider the best treatment option for you.
Whilst the information presented here has been accurately sourced and verified by a medical professional for its accuracy, it is still advised to consult with your doctor before pursuing a medical treatment at one of the listed medical providers
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Belgium is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in Europe and has some of Europe’s finest cuisine, including the creamiest chocolates and a wide variation of beers. In addition, it is home to extensive beaches, postcard-worthy dunes, historic cities, and beautiful countryside, with belfries, castles, and carnivals. Belgium has enjoyed a growing reputation for being excellent medical tourism as well as the country boasts immaculate clinical standards. The medical centers in the country offer a wide range of specializes treatments, short waiting time, highly-trained medical professionals, and considerably lower medical costs. Orthopedics and heart surgery are the most sought after procedures in Belgium.
Brussels is the capital of Belgium, as well as home to European Union official seats and NATO headquarters. Here, visitors can see Europe’s grandest squares, visit the beloved statue of a little boy peeing into a basin (Manneken Pis), explore Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, and admire the magnificent Grand Palace. Bruges, a pickled Gothic city, is also worth a visit. The key attractions in the city are the 14th-century town hall, the Cathedral of the Holy Savior, and the Belfry Tower. Other popular cities include Antwerp and Ghent. While Antwerp is famous for its fashion and excellent museums, Ghent is best known for its historic quarter and stunning Van Eyck altarpiece in its colossal cathedral.
Belgium has four distinct seasons. Summer in the country is relatively short, starting in July and ending in August. The season is warm, with bearable heat and some intermittent rain. Winter comes in November and extends until March. It can get rather wet and chilly during this season, with an average temperature of around 3 - 7°C. Spring (April – June) and autumn (September – October) are generally nice and warm, with an average temperature of around 10 - 15°C.
The main international airport in Belgium is Brussels Airport. It serves flights to many major cities around the world, including Copenhagen, Doha, London, New York, Atlanta, Casablanca, and Bangkok. Since Belgium is a small country, there are no domestic flights. The public transport system in the country is extremely well-organized and reasonably priced. The best way to get around the country is by train. The trains are affordable, fast, frequent, very punctual, and have a comprehensive network of lines. Buses tend to be used in conjunction with train services, so you will likely need a train-bus combination when traveling, especially to rural areas. Inside cities, the transport systems are centered on buses, but there are also metro and trams in Brussels and Antwerp. Taxis are plentiful in all cities and ensure to hire metered official taxis, which have standard fares.
Belgium is part of the Schengen Area, so nationals of EU/EEA countries do not need a visa to visit the country regardless of their length of stay or purpose of travels. Citizens of 62 countries, including Canadian, Australian, and US nationals, can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. Belgium Visa for Medical reasons is available for people who need to obtain medical care in the country.