pH-Impedance metrics (reflux measurement)

A 24-hour pH/impedance measurement is taken to examine whether your complaints are caused by excessive reflux and whether or not the reflux is acidic. This examination is also performed when an operation for reflux is being considered.

Before the examination

  • Taking acid-reducing medication greatly affects the test. Discuss whether you need to stop taking this medication with your doctor in advance. In most cases, you have to stop taking acid-reducing medication at least two weeks before the examination.
  • To ensure the examination goes as it should, it is important that you have an empty stomach when you come to the hospital. This means that you may not eat, drink or smoke for eight hours before the examination.

The examination

  1. The nurse will insert a thin catheter via a nostril as far as the entrance to the stomach. As this can be an unpleasant experience, the nostril is anaesthetised with a spray. This catheter cannot be fitted under a light anaesthetic as you are asked to swallow.
  2. An X-ray is taken to check the position of the catheter.
  3. The catheter is connected to a recorder that saves all the information. This means that the wire between the nose and the recorder remains visible.
  4. Afterwards you may leave the hospital. You can eat and drink with the catheter in place during the day.
  5. The catheter is removed the following day. You are told in advance what time you should arrive.

After the examination

Once the examination is over, you can start taking the acid-reducing medication again.

The results are not available immediately. They will be discussed with you during a subsequent consultation. If the examination was requested by a doctor outside UZ Brussel, the results are sent on. Allow two weeks for this.

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