A variety of procedures are used at Kamloops GI to both diagnose and treat GI conditions. Once you are referred to our clinic, together we will determine the best course of action for you.
A variety of procedures are used at Kamloops GI to both diagnose and treat GI conditions. Once you are referred to our clinic, together we will determine the best course of action for you.
To minimize your wait time, our specialists may triage your referral direct to endoscopy – this means that you will have a combination of a consultation and procedure performed during the same appointment at the hospital. Procedures are generally completed under conscious sedation on an outpatient basis. Prior to your procedure, you will receive specific instruction on all pre-and post-procedure actions.
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look inside your esophagus (the swallowing tube), stomach, and a portion of your small intestine.
It is done with an instrument called a gastroscope, a long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached to the end.
Through the gastroscope, your doctor can take biopsies, cut out abnormal growths, remove foreign objects, dilate strictures or narrowings, and stop bleeding from ulcers, amongst other things.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a procedure that lets your doctor look inside your entire large intestine. In order to see the insides of your bowel, a strong laxative must be taken prior to the procedure.
It is done with an instrument called a gastroscope, a long, thin tube with a tiny camera attached to the end.
The procedure lets your doctor see things such as inflamed tissue, polyps, or pre-cancerous growths, and ulcers. Polyps can be removed at the same time.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is similar to a colonoscopy, except that we are only looking inside the bottom 30-50 cm of your large intestine. This is recommended when a full colonoscopy is not necessary. Sedation is fully optional as the procedure is much more comfortable than a colonoscopy. A full bowel preparation is not required, but you will have an enema administered prior to the procedure in order to empty your colon.
Esophageal manometry
Manometry is a test to measure your swallow function. A thin tube is placed through your nose into your stomach. You will be required to swallow several times while connected to a computer at the hospital, and your results will be shown to you at the same time of the procedure.
pH testing
Esophageal pH monitoring is a test to measure how much stomach acid enters your esophagus, or swallow tube. A thin tube is placed through your nose into your stomach, and connected to an external recording device that you wear. You will then go home and record your symptoms for the next 24 hours before coming back to the hospital. The recording device is then connected to a computer and the gastroenterologist can then determine if there is significant acid reflux as the cause of your symptoms.
EUS/ERCP
EUS and ERCP are no longer being performed in Kamloops. If you require these procedures, you will need a referral to Kelowna or Vancouver.