The department has a dedicated endoscopy suite equipped with a complete set of the latest series of Fuzinon video endoscopes (E400 series). These include Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal and ERCP scopes with video as well as digital data recording facility. In addition, it is well supported by allied departments like Radiology and Pathology where facilities of all kinds of investigation concerning gastrointestinal ailments exist. The Surgery department has a team of able surgeons to provide routine and complex GI surgeries including laparoscopic Gall Bladder surgeries.

Services offered by the department include:

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a sophisticated method of investigating and treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal endoscopy has now become the investigation of first choice for patients with problems of swallowing, vomiting, abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, constipation, diarrhea, suspicion of GI malignances, etc. The diagnostic endoscopic procedures are safe and are done on outpatient basis.

Therapeutic endoscopy is commonly used for treatment of esophageal strictures which cause difficulty in swallowing, gastrointestinal bleeding due to ulcers or dilated veins (varices) in the esophagus or stomach and piles or haemorrhoids in the rectum. It is also used for removal of colonic polyps which can cause bleeding and may progress to cancer, and foreign body accidentally ingested by children.

ERCP
It helps in the evaluation and management of pain and jaundice arising from biliary tract due to gallstones, parasitic infestations malignancies etc. Advances in endoscopic lithotripsy and advent of metallic stents had made ERCP the therapeutic modality of choice for management of biliary obstruction. The patient can avoid major and at times life threatening surgeries. ERCP also helps in the evaluation and treatment of pancreatic disorders.

Management of liver diseases
Facilities for liver biopsy and other specialized investigations for liver diseases are available. Liver disease due to Hepatitis B and C virus infection can now be cured with Interferon. Liver dysfunction is extremely common in obese individuals and diabetics. This needs to be detected and treated in order to prevent progression to cirrhosis.

Screening for cancers
Colonoscopy is now recommended in all individuals above the age of 50 as screening for colon cancer. Screening for Barrett's esophagus and early esophageal cancer is also recommended in patients with long standing (>5 years) heartburn. Patients having B and C virus are prone to develop hepatocellular carcinoma and regular screening is indicated.

Management of pediatric patients with gastrointestinal and liver disorders
Especially bleeding due to colonic polyps, chronic diarrhea, nutritional problems, and functional abdominal pain.

Clinical Nutrition
The Department has facility of placement of feeding tubes in difficult patients and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Parentral nutrition therapy is also available.
Diet counseling is done for general nutrition as well as specific disorders like celiac disease.

The Department is planning to introduce following facilities shortly:

Gastrointestinal Manometry
It helps is assessing patients with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), pain abdomen, constipation and incontinence.

Esophageal pH-metry
Very useful in the diagnosis and management of heartburn due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Also helps in the evaluation of chronic cough, bronchial asthma, and non-cardiac chest pain which can be manifestations of GERD.

Endoscopic Management of GERD
New endoscopic techniques such as Injection bulking and Endoscopic sewing can produce long lasting symptom relief in patients with severe heartburn without the need for surgery.


Endoscopic Management of Obesity
A special balloon can now be placed in the stomach which helps in decreasing food intake and thus leads to weight reduction. The technique is very simple and without any side effects. The balloon can be easily removed when adequate weight reduction is achieved.