Diagnosing and treating some digestive disorders requires the use of interventional procedures performed by a gastroenterologist or interventional endoscopy specialist. Digestive health experts in the Sutter Health network specialize in these minimally-invasive treatments for disorders of the esophagus, small intestine, stomach, colon, pancreas and bile ducts.
The most common interventional procedures are performed through endoscopy, which uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and video camera at the tip to visualize the digestive tract. The tube is usually inserted through the esophagus or rectum. Doctors can then remove polyps and perform minor surgeries using miniature tools on the tip of a smaller endoscope threaded through the first endoscope.
The Sutter Health network includes gastroenterology experts with advanced training in
endoscopic procedures for digestive problems, including:
- Unexplained bleeding, diarrhea, nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, heartburn, vomiting or difficulty swallowing.
- Gallbladder, bile duct and pancreatic duct issues.
- Tumor or polyp identification and removal.
- Cancers of the digestive system.
- Ulcers and inflammation.
- Anemia and nutritional deficiencies.
- Hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse and hernias.
At CPMC, we are also able to treat more complex conditions at the Paul May and Frank Stein Interventional Endoscopy Center, which features state-of-the-art facilities for interventional endoscopy procedures.
Launched in 2001, the Interventional Endoscopy Center is the premier referral center in Northern California for patients with complex gastrointestinal conditions. The center’s founder and director, Kenneth F. Binmoeller, M.D. was honored with the Master Endoscopist of the Year Award in 2013 by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
Diseases Treated With Endoscopy
- Premalignant and early gastrointestinal cancers
- Obstructive gastrointestinal tract cancers
- Pancreatic and bile duct cancer
- Barrett's Esophagus: a premalignant condition caused by chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease that can lead to the development of esophagus cancer (adenocarcinoma).
- Benign strictures
- Bile and pancreatic duct stones
- Esophageal and stomach varices
- Non-variceal bleeding
- Pain management
- Fistulas
- Zenker's Diverticulum
