What is Gastroenterology and endoscopy?
Gastroenterology is an area of medicine that focuses on the health of your digestive system, or the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Gastroenterologists at The Wesley Hospital provide a full range of services relating to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disorders of your oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, gall bladder, liver and pancreas.
The Wesley is one of the largest GI facilities in Australia. Our team of doctors have sub-specialty interests in all areas of gastroenterology and practice to a very high standard. There is close consultation with GIT Surgery and Oncology specialists in particular.
An endoscopy is a procedure that gives your doctor a direct view of your body’s relevant internal organs through an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible, video scope. This can allow for diagnosis, biopsy and treatment of multiple conditions. You will be treated in our state-of-the-art endoscopy unit with four fully integrated procedure rooms, with the latest equipment for all forms of endoscopy. These are generally day case procedures.
There are many types of endoscopy procedures, including:
- Colonoscopy: Through your anus to see your large bowel.
- Gastroscopy: Through your mouth to see your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
- Capsule endoscopy: You swallow a capsule that contains a small camera and light source, which wirelessly transmits images of the small intestine to a Data Recorder.
- EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound): A Gastroscopy with a special inbuilt Ultrasound probe allowing close up characterisation of upper GI and pancreatic lesions and guides Fine Needle biopsy for tissue sampling.
- ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography): Gastroscopy / Duodenoscopy with a special scope that allows entry into the bile duct or pancreas duct to remove stones; take biopsy samples; or to place stents to relieve blockages.
These procedures allow the doctor to view different parts of the body while the patient is sedated or under general anaesthetic. They are generally performed as day surgery procedures, with follow-up appointments made as required.
The Wesley Hospital’s gastrointestinal specialists treat conditions such as:
- GORD: Gastrooesophageal Reflux Disease.
- Colon polyps/cancer screening.
- Oesophageal Barrett's disease screening.
- Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
- Coeliac disease.
- Biliary tract disease (eg gallstone removal from the bile duct); stenting to relieve bile flow from obstructing cancer.
- Diseases of the pancreas.
- Oesophageal, gastric and colon cancer care.
- Hepatitis B/Hepatitis C and all other liver diseases.
- Malabsorption and malnutrition diseases.
Some of these conditions will require surgical intervention, while others may be treated with medication, lifestyle changes and regular monitoring.
Meet our gastrointestinal specialists
Note: The information here is for general reference only. To understand the benefits and risks specific to your condition and overall situation, please discuss any procedure with your treating doctor.
Your next step
To access gastroenterology and endoscopy services at The Wesley Hospital, you will need a referral from your GP. From there, you can make an appointment with one of our gastrointestinal specialists.