Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Gastroscopy is a procedure in which a device called a gastroscope is inserted through the mouth to examine the esophagus, stomach, and first two sections of the duodenum. This procedure is performed with a gastroscope, which is a flexible, bendable, high-tech device in the shape of a tube with a tiny camera on its end. The mini camera projects every point on the inner surface of the stomach and duodenum, starting from the esophagus, and the changes in these areas onto the device's screen. With these images, your doctor can make a diagnosis and, if necessary, small pieces can be taken for microscopic examination (biopsy). During the examination, conditions such as inflammation, tumor, and bleeding in these organs can be detected.

With gastroscopy, very early-stage changes in the mucosa can be diagnosed and treated early with the consultation of an experienced gastroenterologist. In addition, small formations such as polyps in the stomach can be removed endoscopically. In addition, accidentally swallowed foreign objects can be removed by endoscopy. It is sufficient for our patient to fast for 8 hours before gastroscopy. If you are taking blood thinners before the procedure, inform your doctor.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is the process of evaluating the large intestine and the last part of the small intestine with a device called a colonoscope. Polyps in the intestine, which are the most important risk factor for colon cancer, can be diagnosed early with colonoscopy and removed during the same procedure. With early diagnosis and successful treatment of colon cancer with colonoscopy, satisfactory results can be obtained. Before the colonoscopy procedure, we administer medications called sedation intravenously with our anesthesia team so that our patients do not feel pain.

Before the colonoscopy procedure, your doctor will explain your diet and the use of bowel-emptying medications to you the day before the procedure. If you are using blood-thinning medications before the procedure, please inform your doctor.

Capsule Endoscopy

The stomach and large intestine can be evaluated during gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures. Since these two methods cannot evaluate the small intestine, your small intestine can be evaluated with a mini camera called capsule endoscopy. This mini camera is small enough to be swallowed orally, and after bowel preparation before the procedure, your doctor will have you swallow it with some water, and it will take images for 8 hours to allow the evaluation of the small intestines.

After the capsule endoscopy is swallowed, the recordings are uploaded to the computer after the 8-hour recording using a recording device that you will carry with you, and your doctor will review the images. You can drink water 2 hours after swallowing the capsule, and fruit juices and soups without grains are allowed 4 hours later. Your doctor will tell you about your diet and the use of bowel-cleansing medications one day before the colonoscopy procedure. If you are taking blood thinners before the procedure, inform your doctor.

EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasonography)

Endoscopic ultrasound is an imaging device that can easily detect the nature and stage of vital masses and lesions hidden behind the walls of organs such as the stomach, intestines, esophagus, gall bladder and pancreas that make up the digestive system, and has shown considerable development in recent years.

It is a technique used in both diagnosis and treatment functions using the normal endoscopic method. While ultrasound is an imaging technique applied through the skin, endoscopic ultrasound reaches the target area directly and provides the image reflected to the monitor directly from the case in question. Imaging and diagnosis are also made with regular ultrasound, but with endoscopic ultrasound, it is possible to detect any tumor or mass in the digestive system and to obtain more detailed information about the disease. Endoscopic ultrasound provides more accurate data than regular ultrasound in terms of obtaining information about the nature of the mass and the treatment to be applied.

In cases where biopsy is required, surgical burden is reduced, patient comfort is increased, and the procedure is simplified.

pH Meter

Reflux disease means the pathological leakage of stomach contents (acid) from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe). Gastroscopy can be detected as normal in approximately 60-70% of reflux patients. Pathological reflux can be diagnosed with a device called a pH meter. This procedure begins with your doctor inserting a catheter into the junction between the esophagus and stomach through the nose.

This catheter in the nose remains in place for 24 hours. You can continue to eat, drink and do your daily work while the catheter is in place. As soon as you have a complaint, you need to press the button on the recording device. At the end of 24 hours, the records taken by your physician are interpreted and a report is given to you.

Esophageal Manometry

This procedure is performed to evaluate symptoms that may be of esophageal origin such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), odynophagia (painful swallowing), the feeling of food getting stuck, non-cardiac chest pain and chronic cough. Manometric study also helps in anti-reflux and should be used routinely to evaluate esophageal pressures before surgery.

A catheter is placed nasally by your physician and the pressures in the esophagus are evaluated using pressure gauges. The patient must fast for at least 6 hours before the procedure and all medications that may affect esophageal function must be stopped at least 24 hours in advance. The procedure is completed in approximately 30 minutes. The nasal catheter is removed and our patient can continue their daily life.

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography)

The endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography method is performed by entering the mouth with a special endoscopy device called a duodenoscope with a lighted camera system on its tip, and finding the structure called the papilla where the bile duct and pancreatic duct open together. Devices called thin-tipped catheters are entered through this millimetric hole, and the bile duct and, if necessary, the pancreatic duct are reached. This method can be applied in the cleaning of stones in the bile ducts and in the treatment of bile duct and pancreatic tumors.