Saint Francis Hospital - Endoscopy

Endoscopy Procedures Performed at Saint Francis Hospital Endoscopy

Beside upper endoscopy and colonoscopy, Saint Francis Hospital Endoscopy unit performs the following specialty procedures: RFA (radiofrequency ablation), Capsule Endoscopy, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), Cholangiopancreatoscopy (Spyglass), Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR), Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF), OverStitch Gastric Bypass Revision or Transoral Gastric Outlet Reduction, Bravo Esophageal pH study, and Esophageal manometry /24-hour pH study.

Upper endoscopy allows doctor to use a thin, flexible tube (endoscope), which has its own camera lens and light source to diagnose and treat conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract including esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first portion of small intestine).

Colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that lets your doctor examine the lining of your large intestine (colon) for abnormalities with a thin, flexible tube (colonoscope). It is the single best screening test for colorectal cancer because it can detect polyps (precancerous tissue) and also allow your doctor to remove the polyps to prevent colorectal cancer.

Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) is a procedure for treating Barretts’ esophagus. It allows your doctor to use high-energy radio waves to burn and destroy precancerous cells in the lower esophagus and prevent esophageal cancer from developing

Capsule Endoscopy is a test using a pill-sized camera that you swallow or placed endoscopically by your doctor to examine the inside of your small intestine. It can detect conditions like bleeding, inflammation, or tumors in the small intestine.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a specialty procedure that combine x-ray and a flexible to diagnose and treat problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile duct, and pancreas such as common bile duct stone or strictures

For Cholangiopancreatoscopy (Spyglass), the doctor inserts a small caliber scope (Spyglass scope) into the bile duct or pancreatic duct to get direct visualization of the ducts to make diagnosis and treatment.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) is a specialty procedure performed with ERCP and Spyglass. During the procedure, the gastroenterologist uses a special device and probe to deliver shock waves to fragment large stones in the bile duct or pancreatic duct. The fragmented stones can then pass or be swept out of the duct.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves the use of a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) inserted into the gastrointestinal tract and ultrasound image to diagnose and treat diseases of the digestive (gastrointestinal) tract and other nearby organs and tissues. Fine needle aspiration or fine needle biopsy can be done for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves the use of a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) and a thin wire loop (snare) to remove precancerous, early-stage cancer or other abnormal tissues (lesions) from the digestive tract. Electric current through the snare may be used during the procedure.

Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) involves using an endoscope with a special device to tighten the opening between the stomach and esophagus to treat chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The procedure is minimally invasive and incisionless.

OverStitch Gastric Bypass Revision or Transoral Gastric Outlet Reduction is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure for patients who had gastric bypass and their gastric pouch has been stretched out over time. This procedure involves using a special device attached to an endoscope to tighten and restore the stretched-out pouch. It is minimally invasive and incisionless, and patients can go home on the same day.

Bravo Esophageal pH study is a wireless esophageal pH test used to measure the frequency and duration of gastric acid reflux and how it is related to your symptoms over a 48 –hour period. A pH-sensing wireless capsule is placed and attached to the wall of the esophagus during an upper endoscopy procedure.

Esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH study are tests performed by specially trained registered nurses at St. Francis Hospital endoscopy and involve placing a catheter through your nose into your stomach. Esophageal manometry measures the pressure in the esophagus while you swallow. It can help identify why patients are having trouble swallowing, chest pain, or regurgitation. It is also performed before anti-reflux surgery or Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) to make sure patients’ esophagus functions properly.

The 24-hour pH study measures acid and non-acid refluxes in the esophagus over a 24-hour period to help diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease.