Bile Reflux Gastropathy: Prevalence and Risk Factors After Therapeutic Biliary Interventions: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Bile reflux gastropathy is a pathological condition in the form of the backward flow of duodenal fluid that consists of bile, pancreatic juices, and secretions of the intestinal mucosa into the stomach and esophagus, causing mucosal lesions. Bile acids, in combination with gastric acid, have been shown to cause bile reflux gastropathy symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, epigastric pain, etc.).

Bile reflux gastropathy frequently occurs after gastric surgeries that that damages the pyloric sphincter, and after biliary surgeries and procedures as cholecystectomy, endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), endoscopic stenting, or choledochoduodenostomy that cause the sphincter of Oddi malfunction.[4] Bile gastropathy is a normal physiological event in a prolonged fasting period (primary bile reflux gastropathy).In non-responsive individuals to PPI medication, the total prevalence of biliary reflux was 68.7%. These people have acid and bile reflux at the same time and have never had biliary surgery.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) became an increasingly popular modality for both the diagnosis and the treatment of biliary tract disorders. It represents one of the most demanding and technically challenging procedures in gastrointestinal endoscopy, which must be performed effectively and safely by operators with substantial training and experience to maximize success and safety. Cholecystectomy is a surgical operation of gallbladder removal. It can be performed either laparoscopically, using a video camera, or via an open surgical technique. Pain and complications caused by gallstones are the most common reasons for cholecystectomy.