Gastroenterology is a medical speciality that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the digestive system. This speciality covers the examination of the gastrointestinal tract, including the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and gall bladder. Gastroenterologists are experienced in treating a wide range of conditions such as acid reflux, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, cirrhosis of the liver and bowel cancer.
In order to accurately assess and understand these complex diseases, gastroenterologists use various diagnostic procedures, with endoscopy being a cornerstone of their toolkit. Endoscopy uses a flexible tube with a camera to visualise and examine the inside of the gastrointestinal tract directly. There are several types of endoscopic procedures, each tailored to different parts of the digestive system:
- Gastroscopy: In this procedure, also known as upper endoscopy, the endoscope is inserted through the mouth to examine the oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It is often used to diagnose and treat conditions such as ulcers, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract.
- Colonoscopy: In this procedure, the endoscope is inserted through the rectum to examine the entire colon and rectum. It is an important tool for detecting bowel cancer, polyps and inflammatory bowel diseases. Colonoscopy is both a diagnostic and a therapeutic procedure in which biopsies and polyps can be removed.
- Capsule endoscopy: This innovative technique involves swallowing a small, pill-sized camera that captures images of the entire digestive tract, especially the small intestine, which is difficult to reach with conventional endoscopy. It is particularly useful for the diagnosis of unclear gastrointestinal bleeding and small bowel disease.
To ensure patient comfort and minimise discomfort during these procedures, sedation is often administered so that the patient is completely asleep and unaware of the procedure.
Specialities at Compass Clinic Estepona
- Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs and intestines
- Capsule endoscopy for small and large bowel endoscopy (PillCam Colon2 , PillCam Crohns, PillCam UGI, PillCam SB3)
- LactoFan hydrogen breath tester for the detection of lactose intolerance, SIBO, Fructose and sorbitol intolerance
- LacTest – easy to use at home – urine test for the detection of Lactose intolerance
- PCR multiplex rapid tests (QIAstat-Dx Gastrointestinal Panel) for 24 bacterial, viral and parasitic gastrointestinal pathogens (Qiagen QIAstat-Dx syndromic testing system)
- Proctoscopy with haemorrhoid ligation therapy
Specialities at the endoscopy unit at German Clinic in Marbella
- High-resolution video endoscopy with Pentax Imagina EPK i5500c processor and HD video endoscopes from the i10c series
- Gastroscopy and colonoscopy with sedation by one of our anaesthesia specialists at the German Clinic Marbella including polyp removal
- Gastric balloon for weight loss
- Echoendoscopy and therapeutic ERCP in collaboration with the Hospital Quironsalud Marbella
- Endoscopic reflux surgery (Esophyx)
