Latest news with #endoscopy
Zawya
26-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Kuwait Hospital in Sharjah performs 425 endoscopy procedures in Q1 2025
Dubai, UAE – In line with its ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare infrastructure and specialized services, Emirates Health Services (EHS) announced that the Digestive Endoscopy Unit at Kuwait Hospital in Sharjah achieved significant milestones during the first quarter of 2025. The unit performed 425 advanced endoscopy procedures, treated 387 patients, and hosted two internationally renowned gastroenterology specialists as part of its Visiting Physicians Program. Dr. Noor Al Muhairi, Head of the Visiting Doctors Program at EHS, highlighted the program's role in fostering medical expertise: 'Attracting global medical talent is central to our strategy for advancing specialized care. Through this initiative, we integrate cutting-edge knowledge into our practices, enabling our teams to learn directly from leading experts. This elevates service quality and reinforces the UAE's position as a regional hub for advanced healthcare.' Afra Salem, Director of Kuwait Hospital in Sharjah, attributed the unit's success to sustained institutional support for infrastructure development. 'The recent upgrades to our endoscopy unit, including AI-powered technologies, have enhanced our ability to manage complex cases with precision. These advancements position us at the forefront of diagnostic and therapeutic innovation,' she stated. The hospital's endoscopy unit recently underwent comprehensive modernization, most notably the introduction of the first AI-driven digestive tumor resection endoscopy system across EHS facilities. Additional upgrades include advanced AI-equipped devices for gastroscopy and colonoscopy, enabling expanded diagnostic and treatment capabilities while adhering to global healthcare standards. As part of the Visiting Physicians Program, the hospital welcomed Dr. Sunil Mathai, a gastroenterology consultant at India's Medical Trust Hospital, and Dr. Peter Tagalidis, a specialist from Australia's Royal Melbourne Hospital. During their tenure, the experts performed 78 advanced procedures, including bile duct and colonoscopies, endoscopic ultrasound imaging, gastric varices coil implantation, sleeve gastrectomies, and partial stomach resections using state-of-the-art therapeutic endoscopy technologies. This achievement underscores Kuwait Hospital's dedication to integrating global best practices and cutting-edge innovation to deliver world-class patient care.
Health Line
22-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
What to Know About a Combined Colonoscopy and Endoscopy
A combined colonoscopy and endoscopy lets a doctor examine your upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, all in one procedure. Doctors use a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy to help diagnose the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms that you might be experiencing, such as abdominal pain, persistent heartburn, or unusual bowel movements. Colonoscopies and endoscopies are typically safe procedures with a minimal risk of complications. Keep reading to learn when a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy might be used and what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. What is the goal of a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? Doctors use a combined endoscopy and colonoscopy to examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, upper small intestine, and large bowel. The procedure helps doctors investigate the cause of specific symptoms you may be experiencing. For example, an endoscopy can help determine the cause of: bleeding pain persistent heartburn nausea and vomiting difficulty swallowing unexplained weight loss A colonoscopy can help your doctor determine the cause of: abdominal pain or discomfort diarrhea changes in your bowel activity anal bleeding unexpected weight loss During a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy, doctors can identify many underlying conditions, including: internal inflammation or swelling blockages or structures that are obstructing your gastrointestinal tract celiac disease ulcers gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cancer What's the procedure like for a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? Before the procedure Your healthcare team will typically give you a printed handout with the steps you must follow before your procedure. This may include information about stopping specific medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or constipating agents, about a week before the combined procedure. The day before you undergo a combined endoscopy and colonoscopy, you may need to take an oral laxative (called a ' bowel prep ') to clear your bowels. This makes it easier for the doctors to see the lining of your intestines. In addition, you may not be allowed to eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the procedure. During the procedure After you arrive at the clinic or hospital, a member of the healthcare team will ask you to fill out an assessment form. Your doctor or a nurse will review your assessment form with you, and they may take your blood pressure and pulse. They may also ask you to change into a clinic-provided gown and shorts. You'll then meet the endoscopist before the procedure starts. You'll have the opportunity to discuss what will happen during the colonoscopy and endoscopy. You can also ask them any questions you may have. During the procedure, you'll be given a light sedative through a needle in your arm so you won't feel any discomfort. Your healthcare team will stay with you throughout the entire process. They will monitor your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels to ensure your safety. During the endoscopy During the endoscopy, the doctor will pass an endoscope down your throat, through your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The endoscope has a tiny camera mounted on its structure, which allows your doctor to view the inside of your gastrointestinal tract. The endoscope can also blow air into your GI tract, making the area easier to assess. During the exam, your doctor may also collect a tissue sample for testing (biopsy), stop any bleeding that they find, or complete other procedures, such as removing an obstruction. During the colonoscopy After completing the endoscopy, your doctor will insert a colonoscope through your anus and rectum to check your large intestine. The colonoscope will blow air into your intestine, making it easier to see. Some types of colonoscopy use a stream of water instead of blowing air into the intestine, which may be a more comfortable option for a person undergoing the procedure. Once the coloscope reaches the opening of your small intestine, the doctor will start examining the large intestine again while retracting the coloscope. As with the endoscopy, your doctor has the option to remove polyps or other tissues that they may want to biopsy. After the procedure If you're having your procedure done at an outpatient clinic, it may take a couple of hours after the procedure before you can go home. This time allows the anesthesia to wear off. You may not be able to drive for 24 hours, so it's a good idea to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the clinic. The entire procedure can last 5 to 90 minutes. An endoscopy usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes, while a colonoscopy may last 0 to 60 minutes. What's the recovery like for a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? After a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy, you may experience symptoms including: a light blood discharge from your rectum if the doctor removed polyps during the examination abdominal pain caused by the air pumped in during the procedure nausea for a couple of hours after the end of the exam sore throat for a couple of days after the test After the combined colonoscopy and endoscopy, your doctor may give you the result of your test. However, a biopsy result may take a few days to get. What are the potential risks or side effects of a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy? The potential risks and side effects of a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy are rare but can include: abdominal pain bleeding perforation reaction to sedatives causing heart or breathing problems You should seek medical care if you experience any of the following symptoms after you have attended a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy: bloody vomit throat pain or difficulty swallowing bloody diarrhea or bowel movements blood discharge from your rectum that does not get better severe abdominal pain that gets worse chest pain dizziness or weakness How much does a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy cost? The average cost for a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy in the United States varies by state, city, and clinic. According to MDsave, costs range from $2,346 to $10,221, depending on where you have the procedure done. Generally, it's less expensive to undergo a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy on the same day during the same procedure rather than booking two different sessions. In most cases, a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy would be covered by medical insurance policies when recommended by a doctor. Contact your insurance company if you're unsure. Takeaway A combined colonoscopy and endoscopy can help doctors diagnose the cause of symptoms you might be experiencing, such as abdominal pain, persistent heartburn, or atypical bowel movements. The procedure allows doctors to examine the interior of your gastrointestinal tract. The risks of a combined colonoscopy are rare but can include perforation or internal bleeding. However, your healthcare team will constantly monitor you during the procedure to ensure your safety and to make you as comfortable as possible.
Medscape
15-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
No Barrett's Survival Benefit With Regular Surveillance
SAN DIEGO—Gastroenterologists have debated the best course of action for patients with Barrett's esophagus for decades. Which is better for detecting early malignancy and preventing progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) — surveillance endoscopy at regular intervals or only when symptoms occur? Does one offer a better chance of survival than the other? Now, researchers who conducted what they believe is the first randomized clinical trial comparing the two approaches say they have the answer. Surveillance endoscopy every 2 years offers no benefit in terms of overall or cancer-specific survival, said Oliver Old, MD, a consultant upper-GI surgeon at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, England, who presented the findings at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025. At-need endoscopy may be a safe alternative for low-risk patients, the research team concluded. The BOSS Trial The Barrett's Oesophagus Surveillance Versus Endoscopy At Need Study (BOSS) ran from 2009 to 2024 at 109 centers in the UK, and 3452 patients with Barrett's esophagus of 1 cm circumferential or a 2 cm noncircumferential tongue or island were followed for a minimum of 10 years. Researchers randomly assigned patients to undergo upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy every 2 years (the standard of care when the trial was set up) or endoscopy 'at-need' when symptoms developed. Patients in the latter group were counseled about risk and were offered endoscopy for a range of alarm symptoms. The study found no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality risk between the two groups. Over the study period, 333 of 1733 patients (19.2%) in the surveillance group died, as did 356 of 1719 patients (20.7%) in the at-need group. Similarly, no statistically significant between-group difference was found in the risk for cancer-specific mortality. About 6.2% of patients died from cancer in both groups — 108 in the regular surveillance group and 106 in the at-need group. Nor was there a statistically significant difference in diagnosis of EAC, with 40 regular surveillance patients (2.3%) and 31 at-need patients (1.8%) receiving the diagnosis over median follow-up of 12.8 years. Cancer stage at diagnosis did not differ significantly between groups. 'The really low rate of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma' was a key finding, Old said. The rate of progression to EAC was 0.23% per patient per year, he said. Low- or high-grade dysplasia was detected in 10% of patients in the regular surveillance group, compared with 4% in the at-need group. The mean interval between endoscopies was 22.9 months for the regular surveillance group and 31.5 months for the at-need group, and the median interval was 24.8 months and 25.7 months, respectively. The mean number of endoscopies was 3.5 in the regular surveillance group and 1.4 in the at-need group. Eight patients in the regular surveillance group (0.46%) and seven in the at-need group (0.41%) reported serious adverse events. Will BOSS Change Minds? Current surveillance practices 'are based on pure observational data, and the question of whether surveillance EGD [esophagogastroduodenoscopy] impacts EAC diagnosis and mortality has been ongoing,' said Margaret Zhou, MD, MS, clinical assistant professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California. A randomized clinical trial on the subject has been needed for years, she added. However, Zhou said, 'In my opinion, this study does not end the debate and will not change my practice of doing surveillance endoscopy on NDBE [nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus], which I typically perform every 3-5 years, based on current guidelines.' The American Gastroenterological Association clinical practice guideline, issued in June 2024, addresses surveillance and focuses on a patient-centered approach when deciding on treatment or surveillance. Patients in the at-need endoscopy arm underwent endoscopy almost as frequently as the patients randomly assigned to regular surveillance, at a median interval of about 2 years, Zhou noted. Therefore, she said, 'It's difficult to conclude from this study that surveillance endoscopy has no impact.' Additionally, the study was underpowered to detect a difference in all-cause mortality and assumed a progression rate for nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus that is higher than the current understanding, Zhou said. 'It also did not address the important question of EAC-related mortality, which would be an important outcome to be able to assess whether surveillance EGD has an impact,' she said. Joel H. Rubenstein, MD, MSc, director of the Barrett's Esophagus Program and professor in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, agreed that the study doesn't answer the pressing question of whether surveillance works. While Rubenstein said he would not tell colleagues or patients to stop routine surveillance in patients with Barrett's esophagus on the basis of these results, 'it is a reminder that we should be circumspect in who we label as having Barrett's esophagus, and we should be more proactive in discussing discontinuation of surveillance in patients based on advancing age and comorbidities.'
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Work starts on £12m endoscopy unit at Nottingham hospital
Work to create a £12m endoscopy unit has started at a hospital in Medical Centre (QMC) is getting a refurbished and expanded unit to "increase clinical capacity".It follows a £12m investment from Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust - which runs the hospital - and NHS have been temporarily relocated while the construction work takes place, NUH said. The trust said clinical services and the National Centre for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) had been moved to ward D56 at the QMC, and Theatre 8 was now being used for endoscopic two other endoscopy units, located in the QMC Treatment Centre and at Nottingham City Hospital, will continue to operate as normal throughout the work, the trust added. Endoscopy is a diagnostic and therapeutic service which uses a flexible tube with a camera to examine the inside of the body, which the trust said were "essential for diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal and other conditions". The new development will add a third procedure room which NUH said would enable a higher number of "complex endoscopic procedures to be performed each year".Dr Andrew Baxter, deputy head of service for endoscopy, said: "Expanding from two to three procedure rooms, means we're significantly boosting our capacity – not just in volume, but in the complexity of what we can offer."The new unit will allow us to deliver more advanced procedures in a purpose-built, modern environment. "With more space and equipment, we're not only improving patient care but we're also strengthening our position as a centre of excellence for high-quality, complex endoscopic care."The new unit is due to open in early 2026.
