About Cholestasis
Key Highlights
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Accurate diagnosis of the cause and location of bile flow impairment.Can often be managed with minimally invasive endoscopic techniques like ERCP.Provides relief from debilitating symptoms such as severe itching and jaundice.Helps prevent serious complications like liver cirrhosis and infection (cholangitis).Involves a multidisciplinary approach tailored to the specific cause (e.g., gallstones, stricture, medication-related).
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes).
- Intense, generalized itching (pruritus) with no clear skin cause.
- Dark urine and pale, clay-colored stools.
- Elevated liver enzymes, particularly alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT).
- Abdominal pain, especially in the right upper quadrant.
- Suspected bile duct obstruction from gallstones, tumors, or strictures.
- Cholestasis occurring during pregnancy (obstetric cholestasis).
- As a side effect of certain medications.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive review of medical history, symptoms, and current medications.
- Blood tests to assess liver function, bilirubin levels, and check for infections.
- Imaging tests like an abdominal ultrasound are typically the first step.
- For procedures like ERCP, fasting for 6-8 hours prior is required.
- Adjustment or temporary cessation of blood thinners as advised by the doctor.
- Informed consent process explaining the diagnostic or therapeutic plan.
Risks & possible complications
- Progression to liver fibrosis or cirrhosis if the underlying cause is not treated.
- Risk of infection in the bile ducts (cholangitis), which can be serious.
- Malabsorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), leading to deficiencies.
- Procedural risks if ERCP is performed, including pancreatitis, bleeding, or perforation.
- In pregnancy, obstetric cholestasis carries risks for the fetus, including preterm birth.
- Chronic itching can lead to skin damage and significantly impact quality of life.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Recovery depends heavily on the cause and treatment. Medication management may require regular monitoring.
- After an ERCP, patients are monitored for a few hours and can usually go home the same day if no complications arise.
- Dietary adjustments may be recommended, including a low-fat diet and vitamin supplementation.
- Itching may be managed with prescribed medications like ursodeoxycholic acid or antihistamines.
- Follow-up blood tests are crucial to monitor liver function and treatment effectiveness.
- Patients are advised to report any fever, severe abdominal pain, or worsening jaundice immediately.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-2 days
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Expected recovery time: Varies widely; 1-2 weeks for procedural recovery, ongoing management for chronic conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cholestasis in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with gastroenterology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cholestasis. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cholestasis compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | USD 163 – USD 1,305 | 0-2 days | ~ Varies widely; 1-2 weeks for procedural recovery, ongoing management for chronic conditions | Know More |
| Turkey | USD 1,208 – USD 9,663 | 0-2 days | ~ Varies widely; 1-2 weeks for procedural recovery, ongoing management for chronic conditions | Know More |
I'd been to three other doctors...
I'd been to three other doctors for this nagging pain and fatigue. Everyone said it was stress. Dr. Latha at MGM was the first one who actually sat and listened, really listened, to everything I was saying. She ordered a specific test the others hadn't, and it turned out to be something quite rare. She explained it all to me in plain Tamil, drew diagrams on a notepad. I was scared, but she laid out a clear plan. It's been a long road, but I finally feel like we're getting somewhere.
Gastroenterologists for Cholestasis
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform cholestasis and provide pre- and post-operative care in Turkey.
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Liv Hospital Ankara