The department of hepatology, gastroenterology and gastrointestinal oncology provides comprehensive management (screening, diagnosis and treatment) of various gastrointestinal diseases in consultations, at the day hospital and during hospital stays.

Its main operations revolve around the following areas:

• diseases of the digestive tract (œsophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum)       
• gastrointestinal oncology: screening, conventional and outpatient chemotherapy
• hepatology and pancreatology
• inflammatory  diseases (rectocolitis, Crohn’s disease)
• proctology (Medical and Surgical Centre) and pelvic floor disease
• endoscopy (oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, ileocolonoscopy, retrograde cholangio-wirsungography, upper and lower endoscopic ultrasounds)
• oesophageal and anorectal manometry
• 24-hour outpatient pH-metry
• urea breath test for helicobacter pylori
• lactose breath test
• videocapsule

Collaboration with our colleagues in other departments is an essential and ongoing process, whether by informal communication or during multidisciplinary meetings.

Endoscopy

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the department has a reliable endoscopy unit (from the Greek “endo” within and “scopein” to observe) housed in modern facilities, which uses the latest technologies for viewing the gastrointestinal tract by means of a camera or video capsule.

These examinations are also used to:

• collect biopsy samples (for analysing small samples)
• resect polyps
• coagulate haemorrhaging blood vessels
• extract gallstones from bile ducts
• dilate and/or place stents in the oesophagus, bile ducts or colon in cases of narrowing
• fit gastric balloons as part of obesity treatment

You have to have a total colonoscopy? You will find all the necessary information to prepare yourself prior to this procedure in this document.

Functional tests

Some problems are linked to dysfunction of a part of the gastrointestinal tract.

These can manifest in examinations such as manometry (measurement of muscle function, or pH-metry (measurement of reflux acidity). The department carries out respiratory tests to screen for lactose intolerance or the presence in the stomach of a bacterium known as Helicobacter Pylori.

Gastrointestinal oncology

The department provides screening, treatment and follow-up for gastrointestinal tumours, working closely with physicians practicing the other disciplines (surgery, radiotherapy, medical imaging, laboratory science, genetics) involved in the treatment of cancers.