University Gastroenterology offers a variety of on-site procedures. Please select a procedure to learn more.
Upper GI Endoscopy (also known as Upper Endoscopy or EGD)
An Upper Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera on the end to look into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body. It is the procedure used to evaluate for ulcers, causes of upper abdominal pain, or problems with swallowing.
ERCP
During an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, the gastroenterologist uses an endoscope, a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end. It is a slightly different type of scope than the traditional upper endoscope. The scope passes through the esophagus, the stomach, and the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. Once the endoscope reaches the papilla (which is the opening of the common bile duct into the small intestine) the physician injects dye through the bile or pancreatic ducts, enabling X-rays to be taken. If they are present, gallstones can be removed from the bile duct at the time of the procedure. Occasionally, biopsies or sampling of the cells from this region can be performed.
EUS
Endoscopic ultrasonography, or EUS, is used to examine the upper or lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. The upper GI tract includes the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum; the lower GI tract includes the colon, anus, and rectum. EUS can also be used to examine other internal organs, such as the pancreas and gallbladder.
EUS involves the use of an endoscope or colonoscope (a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end) to help guide the scope throughout the duration of the procedure. However, these scopes are different than those used in colonoscopy and ERCP: they emit sound waves that create visual images of the digestive tract that a normal endoscope cannot detect.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows the physician to examine the inside of the bottom part of the large intestine. The colon, also known as the large bowel, is the last portion of your gastrointestinal tract. A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure designed to view the lower section of the colon, the sigmoid, the rectum, and the anus.
Upper GI Endoscopy
An Upper Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera on the end to look into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body.
Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule Endoscopy is a test that lets your doctor examine the lining of the middle part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the three portions of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum). Your doctor will give you a pill-sized video camera for you to swallow. This camera has its own light source and takes pictures of your small intestine as it passes through. These pictures are either sent to a small recording device you have to wear on your body or stored in the capsule itself.
Your doctor will be able to view these pictures at a later time and might be able to provide you with useful information regarding your small intestine.
Spiral Enteroscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, also called upper endoscopy, gets as far as the first segment of the small bowel (the duodenum) but the next two, the jejunum and ileum, require other methods. Spiral enteroscopy is a novel technique, developed by Dr. Paul Akerman at University GI, that utilizes a specialized tube with a light and camera on the end that is rotated to advance the enteroscope deep into the small bowel. Diagnostic and therapeutic options are now available for small bowel pathology that were not previously due to this advanced technique.
Esophageal Manometry
Esophageal manometry is a procedure that measures the strength and function of the muscles in your esophagus (the 'food pipe'). These muscles work to push food and liquid from the mouth down into the stomach. For this procedure, a flexible plastic catheter is passed through your nose, down the back of the throat, and into the esophagus as you swallow. With further swallowing, the tube is then passed down into your stomach. Multiple swallows are tested to allow measurement of the entire esophagus. Pressure recordings are made throughout the study. The tube is then withdrawn.
Esophageal pH Impedance
Esophageal pH Impedance is a test used to measure the amount of acid refluxing from your stomach into the esophagus. For this procedure, a thin catheter is passed into one nostril, down the back of the throat, and into the esophagus as you swallow. The other end of the small catheter comes out of the nose and is connected to a small battery-powered recorder. You will be sent home with the catheter and recorder in place. During the 24 hours that the catheter is in place, you can go about your usual activities, for example, eating, sleeping, and working. After 24 hours, the catheter is removed. There is a variation of this procedure called a BRAVO capsule in which your doctor will perform an upper endoscopy and cinch a BRAVO capsule to your lower esophagus. This device will transmit information about your reflux to a recording device you will wear. The BRAVO capsule will fall off on its own after just a few days.
Hemorrhoid Banding
Hemorrhoid banding is a quick, safe, and comfortable procedure designed to reduce or eliminate symptoms from hemorrhoids. These symptoms include rectal bleeding, irritation, discomfort, a feeling of incomplete bowel movements, or protrusion of hemorrhoid tissue. Additionally, for patients who have experienced painful thrombosed hemorrhoids, hemorrhoid banding can prevent future episodes.
The procedure takes only minutes and requires no bowel prep and no sedation. You can drive yourself to the appointment and drive yourself home. Patients typically require 3 separate sessions, with two weeks in between treatments to allow healing. The procedure entails little to no discomfort.
At University Gastroenterology, we employ the CRH O’Regan Banding System (http://www.crhsystem.com/crh-oregan-system/). This is a clinically proven single-use device that allows safe and sanitary treatment of hemorrhoids. Further information on the procedure and the device can be found at their website, including answers to frequently asked questions. If you suffer from symptoms of hemorrhoids and believe hemorrhoid banding may be right for you, please call for an appointment today at (401) 293-5600. You can visit the weblink above to learn more about the banding system.
Anorectal Manometry
Anorectal manometry is a 15-minute procedure that involves the insertion of a small pressure-sensing probe into the rectum to assess anal sphincter function and rectal sensation. It is used to evaluate fecal incontinence, constipation, and anal pain. It does not require sedation or a full bowel prep. Two fleet enemas before the procedure is the only prep required.
Prep for procedure:
2 fleet enemas 2 hours prior to your study.
There is no need to fast or adjust your meds
Ultrasound Guided Paracentesis
Paracentesis is a procedure used to remove excess fluid from the abdominal cavity. The fluid buildup may be caused by infection, inflammation, injury, cirrhosis or cancer. A diagnostic paracentesis is performed to determine the cause of the fluid buildup, while a therapeutic paracentesis is performed to relieve shortness of breath and pain.
University Gastroenterology offers a variety of on-site procedures. Please select a procedure to learn more.
Upper GI Endoscopy (also known as Upper Endoscopy or EGD)
An Upper Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera on the end to look into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body. It is the procedure used to evaluate for ulcers, causes of upper abdominal pain, or problems with swallowing.
ERCP
During an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP, the gastroenterologist uses an endoscope, a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end. It is a slightly different type of scope than the traditional upper endoscope. The scope passes through the esophagus, the stomach, and the first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum. Once the endoscope reaches the papilla (which is the opening of the common bile duct into the small intestine) the physician injects dye through the bile or pancreatic ducts, enabling X-rays to be taken. If they are present, gallstones can be removed from the bile duct at the time of the procedure. Occasionally, biopsies or sampling of the cells from this region can be performed.
EUS
Endoscopic ultrasonography, or EUS, is used to examine the upper or lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. The upper GI tract includes the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine, called the duodenum; the lower GI tract includes the colon, anus, and rectum. EUS can also be used to examine other internal organs, such as the pancreas and gallbladder.
EUS involves the use of an endoscope or colonoscope (a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at the end) to help guide the scope throughout the duration of the procedure. However, these scopes are different than those used in colonoscopy and ERCP: they emit sound waves that create visual images of the digestive tract that a normal endoscope cannot detect.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows the physician to examine the inside of the bottom part of the large intestine. The colon, also known as the large bowel, is the last portion of your gastrointestinal tract. A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure designed to view the lower section of the colon, the sigmoid, the rectum, and the anus.
Upper GI Endoscopy
An Upper Endoscopy is a procedure that uses a small, flexible tube with a light and a camera on the end to look into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). It can also be used to take tissue from the body for testing or to take color photographs of the inside of the body.
Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule Endoscopy is a test that lets your doctor examine the lining of the middle part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the three portions of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum). Your doctor will give you a pill-sized video camera for you to swallow. This camera has its own light source and takes pictures of your small intestine as it passes through. These pictures are either sent to a small recording device you have to wear on your body or stored in the capsule itself.
Your doctor will be able to view these pictures at a later time and might be able to provide you with useful information regarding your small intestine.
Spiral Enteroscopy
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, also called upper endoscopy, gets as far as the first segment of the small bowel (the duodenum) but the next two, the jejunum and ileum, require other methods. Spiral enteroscopy is a novel technique, developed by Dr. Paul Akerman at University GI, that utilizes a specialized tube with a light and camera on the end that is rotated to advance the enteroscope deep into the small bowel. Diagnostic and therapeutic options are now available for small bowel pathology that were not previously due to this advanced technique.
Esophageal Manometry
Esophageal manometry is a procedure that measures the strength and function of the muscles in your esophagus (the 'food pipe'). These muscles work to push food and liquid from the mouth down into the stomach. For this procedure, a flexible plastic catheter is passed through your nose, down the back of the throat, and into the esophagus as you swallow. With further swallowing, the tube is then passed down into your stomach. Multiple swallows are tested to allow measurement of the entire esophagus. Pressure recordings are made throughout the study. The tube is then withdrawn.
Esophageal pH Impedance
Esophageal pH Impedance is a test used to measure the amount of acid refluxing from your stomach into the esophagus. For this procedure, a thin catheter is passed into one nostril, down the back of the throat, and into the esophagus as you swallow. The other end of the small catheter comes out of the nose and is connected to a small battery-powered recorder. You will be sent home with the catheter and recorder in place. During the 24 hours that the catheter is in place, you can go about your usual activities, for example, eating, sleeping, and working. After 24 hours, the catheter is removed. There is a variation of this procedure called a BRAVO capsule in which your doctor will perform an upper endoscopy and cinch a BRAVO capsule to your lower esophagus. This device will transmit information about your reflux to a recording device you will wear. The BRAVO capsule will fall off on its own after just a few days.
Hemorrhoid Banding
Hemorrhoid banding is a quick, safe, and comfortable procedure designed to reduce or eliminate symptoms from hemorrhoids. These symptoms include rectal bleeding, irritation, discomfort, a feeling of incomplete bowel movements, or protrusion of hemorrhoid tissue. Additionally, for patients who have experienced painful thrombosed hemorrhoids, hemorrhoid banding can prevent future episodes.
The procedure takes only minutes and requires no bowel prep and no sedation. You can drive yourself to the appointment and drive yourself home. Patients typically require 3 separate sessions, with two weeks in between treatments to allow healing. The procedure entails little to no discomfort.
At University Gastroenterology, we employ the CRH O’Regan Banding System (http://www.crhsystem.com/crh-oregan-system/). This is a clinically proven single-use device that allows safe and sanitary treatment of hemorrhoids. Further information on the procedure and the device can be found at their website, including answers to frequently asked questions. If you suffer from symptoms of hemorrhoids and believe hemorrhoid banding may be right for you, please call for an appointment today at (401) 293-5600. You can visit the weblink above to learn more about the banding system.
Anorectal Manometry
Anorectal manometry is a 15-minute procedure that involves the insertion of a small pressure-sensing probe into the rectum to assess anal sphincter function and rectal sensation. It is used to evaluate fecal incontinence, constipation, and anal pain. It does not require sedation or a full bowel prep. Two fleet enemas before the procedure is the only prep required.
Prep for procedure:
2 fleet enemas 2 hours prior to your study.
There is no need to fast or adjust your meds
Ultrasound Guided Paracentesis
Paracentesis is a procedure used to remove excess fluid from the abdominal cavity. The fluid buildup may be caused by infection, inflammation, injury, cirrhosis or cancer. A diagnostic paracentesis is performed to determine the cause of the fluid buildup, while a therapeutic paracentesis is performed to relieve shortness of breath and pain.