Patients with digestive disorders are treated at Barnes-Jewish Hospital by Washington University gastroenterologists and hepatologists. These physicians have more than 45 years experience in treatment, research and training for diseases of the digestive tract. Our clinical, research and training programs have received wide recognition for sustained contributions to the field.
Board-certified specialists offer a comprehensive range of GI (gastro-intestinal) subspecialties, including treatment for diseases of the upper tract, like the esophagus, stomach and small intestines (duodenum); the lower GI tract, like the large intestine, colon and rectum; and the hepatobiliary system, such as the liver, gall bladder, biliary tract and pancreas. Barnes-Jewish hospital contains modern endoscopy and motility facilities, fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, and is committed to providing cutting-edge technology for optimal patient care. More than 10,000 gastrointestinal procedures are performed annually at the endoscopic facilities of Barnes-Jewish Hospital alone, over 80% of these by the full-time faculty.
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| Sreenivasa Jonnalagadda, MD, and J. Christopher Eagon, MD, performing the first transoral gastroplasty procedure in the U.S. at Barnes-Jewish. |
Specific conditions treated include:
- gastrointestinal motility disorders
- gastroesophageal reflux disease
- gastrointestinal bleeding
- ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- diverticular disease
- acute and chronic hepatitis
- chronic liver failure
- chronic liver disease
- cirrhosis of the liver
- biliary tract disorders
- tumors of the liver
- unexplained abdominal pain
- pancreatitis
- irritable bowel syndrome
- vomiting syndromes
Specialized digestive care services include:
- Hepatology services (Liver) -- Diagnosing and treating liver diseases; evaluation of treatment options for hepatitis C, evaluation for suitability for liver transplants.
- Gastro-intestinal Cancer services -- Diagnosing and treating esophageal, gastric, intestinal, colorectal, liver and pancreatic cancers.
- Neurogastroenterology and Motility program -- Diagnosing and treating patients with symptoms of GI motility disturbances (difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, obstructed defecation); Diagnosing and treating patients with irritable bowel syndrome and functional bowel disease.
- Chronic heartburn -- Diagnosing and treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (known as GERD), particularly patients with persisting symptoms despite therapy and complicated reflux disease; Diagnosing and treating complications of reflux disease including strictures, Barrett’s esophagus.
- Nutrition services -- Management of nutritional deficiencies and supplementation with intravenous or oral supplements.
The Washington University specialists provide both outpatient and inpatient endoscopy facilities with specialized, leading-edge equipment, including endoscopic ultrasound, esophageal manometry and interventional endoscopy, including ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography), an endoscopic evaluation of the bile and pancreatic ducts.