Why is this procedure done?
The pancreas is a flat gland located inside the belly. The gallbladder is a pouch-shaped organ located under the liver. Both of these organs make juices that help break down food. Both of these organs are told to make juices by an enzyme called cholecystokinin or CCK. The small bowel makes and releases CCK when food passes into it. Then, the pancreas and gallbladder make juices to digest fats, starch, and protein. ‚
CCK stimulation test measures how much of these juices are made by the pancreas and gallbladder. Putting CCK directly into the belly through a flexible tube helps the doctor to see if your pancreas and gallbladder are making the juices to break down food. This procedure is done to: ‚
- Know if the pancreas is working properly
- See if there are blocks in the tubes of the gallbladder going to the belly
- Know what the juices made by the pancreas contain
- Test if a person has problems with digesting food
What will the results be?
Your doctor will know if your pancreas and gallbladder are working properly. It will also confirm if you have problems with your digestion. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the procedure room, you will lie on a table or sit in a chair. The staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- Your doctor will spray a numbing drug on your throat. Your doctor will put in a flexible tube with a camera at the tip. This will let the doctor see where the tip of the tube is in your belly.
- Your doctor will connect a CCK drip into your IV line. After a little while, the doctor will collect a sample of your belly fluid from the flexible tube. This will be done a few more times. Then, the tube in your throat will be taken out.
- Your doctor will send the collected belly fluid to the lab for testing.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will stay in the Recovery Room for up to 2 hours after the procedure. You may go home after the procedure.
- You may have some discomfort and numbness in your throat after the procedure. This may become more painful when the anesthesia wears off. Your doctor may give you drugs for this.
- You will not be able to have any food or drink until your throat numbing drug wears off.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Suck on ice chips or popsicles to help relieve throat pain.
- Drink lots of water to help flush the substance used for the procedure out of your body.
- You may go back to your normal routine after the procedure.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor will tell you if you need other tests.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
Your doctor may send you to a dietitian to make a special diet for you. Your doctor will also tell what you can and cannot eat. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Throat injury
- Belly injury
- Mouth bruises
- Hoarse voice
- Nausea and throwing up
- Belly bloating
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚