Gastroenterology Conditions and Procedures

Anorectal manometry allows your doctor to measure the pressure inside your rectum at different points. This test may be done if you are experiencing fecal incontinence. Your doctor will insert a very thin tube into your recttum with a balloon at the bottom to measure how well your muscles in that area are working.

Barrett’s ablation is performed to treat Barrett’s esophagus, a condition where the lining of the esophagus is damaged because of chronic acid reflux. During the procedure, a device is used to remove or destroy abnormal tissue in your esophagus. Barrett’s ablation is done to eliminate or reduce your risk of developing esophageal cancer, which is a potential complication of Barrett’s esophagus.

The Bravo™ pH test measures the pH (acidity) level of your esophagus. Your care team may order this procedure thinks you might have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A small gel-cap sized capsule is temporarily attached to your esophagus to measure PH levels and send information to a small receiver worn on your waistband or belt and you can record symptoms such as heartburn. This procedure is not painful; however, you may feel some minor discomfort similar to a sore throat.

Your care team may order a capsule endoscopy if you have bleeding in your digestive system, polyps, Chron’s disease or other issues. This allows your doctor to look more closely at your digestive system and identify issues. 

To begin the procedure, you will swallow a capsule the size of a large vitamin that takes pictures of your digestive tract. You will be able to go home while the images are being taken, which usually lasts for eight hours.

A colonoscopy is done so your doctor can see the inside of your colon and rectum using a camera. This may be done to check for colon cancer, find causes of changes in your bowel movements or rectal pain or check your response to treatment for other diseases. 

The procedure takes 30-45 minutes, where you will lie comfortably on your side with your knees bent and pulled toward your chest. The doctor will move a small camera through your colon to look at the lining and may take small tissue samples or remove small growths. 

Your care team will provide specific procedures for you to follow before and after your procedure.

Complex lesion removal is a procedure performed to remove abnormal or suspicious growths or lesions in your gastrointestinal tract. Complex lesions may be larger in size, have irregular or difficult to reach locations, or have characteristics that make removal more challenging. Removing complex lesions allows your care team to examine lesions to determine their nature and assess if they are benign or potentially cancerous. Removal can also help prevent or treat your gastrointestinal condition and reduce risk of complications or the lesions becoming cancerous.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal or pre-cancerous tissue in your gastrointestinal tract. EMR is usually done during an endoscopy, where a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera (endoscope) is inserted through your mouth or anus to view your digestive tract. To ensure your comfort, this procedure is performed under sedation or anesthesia.

EMR allows your provider to remove larger or flat lesions, which can help prevent progression to more advanced stages of cancer and potentially avoid the need for more invasive surgeries. 

Once the tissue is removed, it will be further analyzed to determine its nature and whether it is cancerous or benign which will help your care team make decisions about providing further treatments.

An endoscopic retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is performed to check your liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. During this procedure your doctor can find causes of stomach problem, take a tissue biopsy, treat blocked ducts or remove gallbladder stones and place drain tubes or stents to less fluid from cysts in your pancreas. 

An endoscopic ultrasound is done to take images of the linings of your digestive tract, gallbladder and pancreas. This test is done to look for abnormal growths, gallstones, irritation, blood clots and to evaluate stages of cancer.

Esophageal dilation is a medical procedure performed to widen a narrow your esophagus if it is constricted. Narrowing of the esophagus can occur with scar tissue formation, strictures, or certain disorders like achalasia where your esophagus muscles don’t contract properly to allow you to swallow food.

During the dilation procedure, a flexible tube or dilator is inserted through your mouth or nose and passed down into your esophagus and gently inflated to stretch the narrowed area of your esophagus. To ensure your comfort, the procedure will be performed under sedation or anesthesia.

Following the procedure, you may be instructed by your care team to follow specific dietary modifications or take medications to prevent further narrowing of the esophagus.

An esophageal manometry helps your doctor understand if your esophagus and sphincter muscle are working properly. This procedure, which takes about 30 to 60 minutes, may be ordered if you are experiencing pain in your throat or chest or have heartburn or trouble swallowing. A small, thin flexible tube placed into your mouth or nose will go down to your stomach so your doctor can record activity.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure used to examine the lower part of your colon. The sigmoid colon is the S-shaped portion of your large intestine that connects to the rectum. 

During the procedure, a thin and flexible tube called a sigmoidoscope is inserted through your anus and guided into the rectum and sigmoid colon. The sigmoidoscope has a light and a camera on its tip, allowing your provider to view the lining of your colon and identify abnormalities. 
To minimize discomfort, a local anesthetic may be applied.  

Flexible sigmoidoscopy can help detect and evaluate conditions such as colorectal polyps, inflammation, bleeding, and early signs of colorectal cancer. It is a less invasive alternative to a colonoscopy, which examines your entire colon.

If any abnormal tissue or polyps are identified, your provider may perform a biopsy or remove them for further analysis.

A hemorrhoidal banding procedure is performed when you have hemorrhoids that are bleeding, painful, contain a blood clot or prolapsed (coming out of your anus). 

A band of rubber is placed at the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood flow. This is not painful and within about one week, the hemorrhoid will die and fall off and scar tissue will form in its place. You will be able to go home right after the procedure.

During a liver biopsy, a small tissue is removed from your liver for testing. This procedure is done to measure the level of disease in your liver.

During a luminal stenting procedure, a stent is placed inside your narrowed or blocked organ or vessel to help improve the flow of fluids or substances through it. 

This may be performed if you have esophageal strictures or to help maintain the diameter of your esophagus and allow you to swallow more easily. Biliary stenting is performed to treat obstructions or strictures in your bile ducts, which can occur due to conditions like gallstones, tumors, or inflammation and helps maintain the flow of bile from your live to your intestine. 

The stent is typically a small, mesh-like tube made of metal or synthetic materials. The procedure can provide immediate relief for symptoms caused by narrowed or blocked organs and serve as a temporary measure while we treat your underlying conditions.

A small bowel enteroscopy procedure is performed to examine your small intestine and treat issues. Some reasons why your doctor may recommend this procedure include removing polyps in your small intestine, collecting tissue samples or diagnosing or treating bleeding.

An upper endoscopy is done to view your upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes your throat, esophagus, stomach and the first part of your small bowel. The procedure is often performed to identify ulcers, cancer or tumor growths, internal bleeding and swallowing problems.