Gastroenterology
Gastroenterology is a highly specialsed field of medicine that deals with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases of the digestive system. This includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
The Gastroenterology Department at RMI is a leading provider of specialised care for patients with gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic diseases. Our team of highly qualified and experienced gastroenterologists is dedicated to provide our patients with the highest quality care possible.
We offer a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic services, including:
Endoscopy: We perform a variety of endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, and ERCP, to diagnose and treat a variety of gastrointestinal conditions.
Imaging: We offer a variety of imaging studies, such as ultrasound, CT, and MRI, to diagnose and monitor gastrointestinal diseases.
Laboratory testing: We perform a variety of laboratory tests to diagnose and monitor gastrointestinal diseases.
Medical management: We provide comprehensive medical management for patients with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions.
Surgical management: We offer surgical management for patients with gastrointestinal conditions that require surgery.
The department also holds weekly board meetings to discuss complex cases and provide the best possible care for our patients. We are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality care possible and to helping them live long and healthy lives.
Surgical and diagnostic services offered in the Department of Gastroenterology are following.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy is the visual inspection of the interior of the gut using an endoscope. A small caliber tube containing fibers or video optics is inserted through the mouth allowing the endoscopist to view the Upper and Lower Gastro intestinal tract.
At RMI a video endoscopic recording system is available where the patient will be given a recorded video of the examination carried out.
Diagnostic OGD and Colonoscopy
Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), also known as a gastroscopy or endoscopy. The other is a colonoscopy, or examination of the large intestine (bowel).
Endoscopic Variceal Banding
Endoscopic variceal banding (or ligation) is a process in which the doctor uses an endoscope to place an elastic ring that looks like a rubber band around an enlarged vein. Banding the vein in this manner will cut off blood flow through the vein.
Gastric Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution directly into the vein. The sclerotherapy solution causes the vein to scar, forcing blood to reroute through healthier veins. The collapsed vein is reabsorbed into local tissue and eventually fades.
Gastric Injection
Endoscopic outpatient procedure speeds up weight loss by using gastric injection to temporarily relax the muscles of the stomach, which will cause the muscles to contract less. The goal of this procedure is to help people feel full longer than usual greatly reducing the overall amount of food consumption.
Haemo-Clips
Hemostatic clips are used to prevent bleeding in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract. This is often after a polyp(s) has been removed from your colon or to treat a bleeding ulcer.
Esophageal Stenting
An esophageal stent is a stent placed in the esophagus to keep a blocked area open so the patient can swallow soft food and liquids.
Esophageal Dilatation
Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus (food pipe).
Duodenal Stenting
A stent is a small metal or plastic tube put into the stomach to relieve a blockage and open the passage. Cancer in the stomach can partly or completely block it and make it difficult to swallow.
Balloon Dilatation
A balloon dilation is a cardiac catheterization procedure, a small, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and guided to the inside of the heart. When the tube is placed in the narrowed valve, the balloon is inflated to stretch the area open.
Polypectomies
In medicine, a polypectomy is the removal an abnormal growth of tissue called a polyp. Polypectomy can be performed by excision if the polyp is external.
Colonic Stenting
Colonic stenting is a technique used to treat obstructed portions of the large intestine. The technique makes use of a flexible, hollow tube called a stent to expand and open the blocked section of the colon. It is most effective for patients with colon cancer or other forms of bowel blockage.
ERCP
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, is a procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.
- The gastroenterology department has a 36 bed GI unit with 6 bed HDU (High Dependency Unit) unit to cater for GI emergencies.
- It also has a dedicated endoscopy unit equipped with state of art equipment including Pentax I-scan, automated sterilizer (AER 200) and scope storage facilities.
- RMI is the only institute in KP, both in public and private sector, to provide the Fibro scan facility.
- Fluoroscopy facilities for diagnosing and managing GI diseases and performing ERCP are also available.
- There is an Interventional Radiology unit for diagnosing complex GI procedures.
