Our Surgical Gastroenterologist has extensive experience in performing a wide spectrum of surgical procedures relating to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Each condition is carefully analyzed and focus is on performing minimally invasive surgical procedures that have a quick recovery with minimal pain and discomfort. Common surgical interventions include Anorectal Surgery, Hernia, Gallstone, Bariatric Surgery, Anti Reflex/GERD and gastrointestinal disorders.
It is an imaging test to check for problems with the upper gastrointestinal tract. In barium swallow, the patient swallows a chalky white substance known as barium. It coats the inside of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Barium absorbs X-rays and looks white on X-ray film. A barium swallow test is used to detect cancer of the head and neck, pharynx, or oesophagus, hiatal hernia, structural problems, such as diverticula, narrowing or growths (polyps), enlarged veins, muscle disorders, such as difficulty swallowing or spasms, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and ulcers.
Barium enema is used to perform an X-Ray examination of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract or the large intestine and rectum. The colon is filled with a liquid suspension called barium sulphate. Barium highlights certain areas in the body to create a clearer picture. Fluoroscopy or the study of moving body parts (similar to an X-Ray movie) is used to see the movement of the barium through the large intestine and the rectum. Tumours, inflammation, polyps (growths), diverticula (pouches), obstructions and changes in the inner surface of the intestine can be detected.
An upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) is a radiographic examination of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract using X-Rays. The oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum are made visible on X-ray film by a liquid suspension which is typically barium. X-rays use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on film.
An upper GI endoscopy or EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the upper GI (gastrointestinal) tract which includes the food pipe (oesophagus), stomach, and the first part of the small intestine or duodenum. A flexible tube with a tiny light and camera or endoscope is inserted through the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. Video images are monitored by the doctor on a monitor. The endoscope in combination with other tools can be used to take tissue samples for a biopsy, remove things such as food that may be stuck in the upper GI tract, inject air or fluid, stop bleeding and perform procedures such as endoscopic surgery, laser therapy, dilate a narrowed area and treat disorders such as GERD, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and infections in the upper GI tract.
Also called ERCP, it is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. It combines the use of X-ray with an endoscope which is a long, flexible, lighted tube. It is guided through the mouth and throat to the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The doctor can view these organs and check for problems. By injecting a dye the features of the organs can be seen better in an X-ray. ERCP can help patients with unexplained abdominal pain, jaundice, pancreatitis or cancer of the liver, pancreas, bile duct, blockages or stones in the bile ducts, fluid leakage from the bile or pancreatic ducts, blockages or narrowing of the pancreatic ducts, tumours and infection in the bile ducts.
It is a nuclear radiology test used to check the pancreas for tumours and can also be used to treat certain cancerous tumours of the pancreas. The radioactive substance used in a pancreas scan is called a radiopeptide to which tumour cells easily bind. This makes certain tumours easier to see. Certain therapeutic radioactive substances attached to the radiopeptide helps in treating some tumours. Gamma radiation is detected by a scanner which helps in making an image of the tumour.
A liver scan helps in examining the liver to assess its functioning and to identify certain medical disorders. The liver scan is often combined with the scanning of the spleen as well. A radioactive tracer is used which is absorbed by the normal liver tissue, spleen and bone marrow. Gamma rays are emitted which are detected by a scanner using which the doctor can assess and diagnose various conditions such as tumours, abscesses, hematomas, organ enlargement and cysts.
A small amount of liver tissue is surgically removed so that it can be analysed in a laboratory to evaluate diseases affecting the liver such as cirrhosis, infection, inflammation and detect cancer. Biopsy may be also ordered to detect alcoholic liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, chronic hepatitis B / C, hemochromatosis (too much iron in the blood), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, which affects the liver’s bile ducts or Wilson’s disease which is an inherited and degenerative liver disease caused by excess copper in the body. A liver biopsy is ordered if a scan or a lab test indicates any abnormality or in patients with digestive system issues, persistent abdominal pain or any abdominal mass.