Procedures & Services
Our pediatric gastroenterology team treats children of all acuity levels both in our office as well as in the WakeMed Children’s Hospital, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Children who require procedure or an inpatient stay have the benefit of having access to our Child Life Specialists, who are experts in helping you and your child understand more about the procedure, providing support throughout treatment and helping alleviate stress and anxiety for the entire family. They are the experts in taking the scary out of your child’s visit.
Our Services Include:
- Endoscopies
- Upper endoscopy or EGD (Esophagogastro-Duodenoscopy)
- Colonoscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Collection of biopsies (tiny tissue samples) during endoscopies to examine under microscope
- Video capsule endoscopy for the assessment of small bowel diseases
- Dilation of esophageal and colonic strictures
- Endoscopic hemostasis techniques (to control gastrointestinal bleeding) such as
- Electrocautery
- Endoclips and forceps
- Submucosal injections
- Endoscopic polypectomy
- Esophageal variceal sclerotherapy and variceal banding
- Foreign body removal from the gastrointestinal track
- Pancreatic stimulation test
- Intraesophageal pH monitoring
- Small bowel biopsy with measurement of intestinal enzymes
- Botox injection in the gastrointestinal tract
- Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) or fecal bacteriotherapy
- Infliximab (Remicade) infusion services - Learn more about our Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program.
- Anal and esophageal manometry (Future Service)
Learn more about the different types of endoscopic procedures we offer:
Upper endoscopy or EGD (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy): Examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum using a tiny scope that is inserted through the mouth so that the doctor can view upper GI tract and take any samples needed for further study.
Colonoscopy: Examination of the colon and terminal ileum (lower section of the small intestine) using a scope that is inserted into the rectum where the doctor can see the walls of the colon and take biopsies as needed.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: Examination of the last one to two feet of colon near the rectum. Using a flexible tube to see inside the colon, the doctor may also collect tissue or polyps that will be sent to the lab for study.
Polypectomy: a snare and electric current is used during endoscopy to remove polyps (abnormal growth in the colonic mucosa). Polyps can cause bleeding in the intestines.
Capsule Endoscopy: Patient swallows a capsule that is equipped with a small camera that travels throughout the digestive tract. The capsule records and sends images during its journey to a small machine that is attached around the patient’s waist. The capsule is eliminated through the bowels. If a child cannot swallow the capsule, it can be put in during upper endoscopy while sleeping.
Esophageal Dilation: Dilation tubes or balloons are used to stretch narrow areas of the esophagus.
Variceal Banding: The physician places a small band around the varices to reduce the flow of blood to the vein in order to prevent further bleeding.
Ambulatory pH monitoring: The patient has a thin tube with a pH electrode inserted a few centimeters in the esophagus, just above the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). A data machine is attached around the patient’s waist to record episodes of gastric acid reflux over the course of 24 hours.
Therapeutic Injection: An injection done with a small needle probe through an endoscope. The needle is used to instill/inject a solution to the desired location. The solution may sclerose (harden), vascoconstrict or cause swelling to stop/prevent bleeding.