Procedure Preparation
Procedures are performed at the nearby Ocean Endosurgery Center and Community Medical Center. Your doctor shall inform you about dietary restrictions to follow and what cleansing route to use. Forms are readily available at the office.
Procedures
Colonoscopy
A fiberoptic (endoscopic) procedure in which a thin, flexible, lighted viewing tube (a colonoscope) is threaded up through the rectum for the purpose of inspecting the entire colon and rectum and, if there is an abnormality, taking a tissue sample of it (biopsy) for examination under a microscope, or removing it.
EGD/Upper Endoscopy
This procedure lets your doctor examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). Your doctor will use a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has its own lens and light source, and will view the images on a video monitor.
Capsule Endoscopy
A procedure 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 use a pill sized video capsule called which has its own lens and light source and will view the images on a video monitor. You might hear your doctor or other medical staff refer to capsule endoscopy as small bowel endoscopy, capsule enteroscopy, or wireless endoscopy.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
A specialized technique used to study the ducts of the gallbladder, pancreas and liver...During ERCP, your doctor will pass an endoscope through your mouth, esophagus and stomach into the duodenum (first part of the small intestine). An endoscope is a thin, flexible tube that lets your doctor see inside your bowels. After your doctor sees the common opening to ducts from the liver and pancreas, your doctor will pass a narrow plastic tube called a catheter through the endoscope and into the ducts. Your doctor will inject a contrast material (dye) into the pancreatic or biliary ducts and will take X-rays.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
This procedure lets your doctor examine the lining of the rectum and a portion of the colon (large intestine) by inserting a flexible tube about the thickness of your finger into the anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and lower part of the colon. A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy is less intrusive than a full colonoscopy, but may lead to a colonoscopy (a complete examination of the colon) if abnormalities are detected.
Hydrogen Breath Testing Suite
A test that uses the measurement of hydrogen in the breath to diagnose several conditions that cause gastrointestinal symptoms.