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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 Bulgaria 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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Bulgaria has plenty to offer and tourists are going to be very impressed with the country’s mountainous landscapes, beautiful Black Sea beaches, fascinating history, friendly locals, lively nightlife, and affordability. Although the country’s holiday tourism is very much on the radar, it is also actually quite popular with medical tourists, due to its modern medical centers, highly trained medical professionals, state-of-the-art equipment, affordable healthcare, and mineral baths, thousands of medical tourists visit this country each year. Most of the medical tourists come for dental treatment, orthopedic surgery, elective surgery, neurosurgery, as well as health screening.
Bulgaria’s laid-back capital city, Sofia, is truly a must-visit. It is full of museums, Ottoman mosques, communist architecture, chic galleries, Eastern Orthodox churches, amazing restaurants, and upbeat clubs. One of the most popular landmarks in the country is the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, which is an awe-inspiring church built between 1882 and 1912 to honor 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for the independence of Bulgaria during the Russo-Turkish war. If you want to relax on beautiful beaches visit Varna, which is a major tourist destination during the summer. The second-largest, city in Bulgaria is Plovdiv and it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Tourists are attracted by the Roman Amphitheatre, Archeological Museum, and Tsar Simeon Central Garden.
Most international tourists will arrive at Sofia Airport, which serves flights to most numerous major cities in Europe and the Middle East. There are several budget airlines that operate flights from this airport, including Ryanair and Wizz Air. Domestic flights are available, but they tend to be expensive. Therefore, to travel from one city to another, trains and buses are the best option. Buses and trains are punctual and affordable. However, if you are in a hurry, you should avoid trains as they can be a little slow. To travel around big cities, taxis are widely available and are really cheap. Just make sure you choose a licensed taxi to avoid being overcharged.
While Bulgaria is not yet a part of the Schengen Area, it has a visa policy that is based on the Schengen system. Therefore, holders of Schengen Visa are allowed to enter the country. Additionally, citizens of 62 countries, including the US, Australia, and the UAE, can stay in the country for up to 90 days without a visa.
From June to August, Bulgaria experiences summer. The weather can get a bit hot and humid, with an average temperature of 19°C to 21°C. July is the wettest month in the country. Winter, from December to February, is usually freezing. Autumn and Spring bring pleasant weather.