In-PatientGastroentrology

Introduction

The Department of Hepatogastroenterology was established in July 2000 with a vision to initiate liver transplantation in Pakistan and has to its credit the first ever successful liver transplant performed in the country. Over the years the Department has evolved into a multi-dimensional service.

The Department has distinctive collaborative organization with faculty representing gastroenterologist, hepatologists, hepatobilliary and GI surgeons with adult and pediatric focus, all under one umbrella. It thus caters to thousands of adult and pediatric patients from all over the country every year encompassing an ever increasing spectrum of diseases. This includes hepatitis related liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, gastrointestinal cancers such as colon and gall bladder cancer, liver diseases of children such as biliary atresia and neonatal hepatitis, infections such as abdominal tuberculosis and typhoid and various autoimmune and metabolic diseases.

Facilities

Housed in the Dewan Farooq Medical Complex of SIUT, the department of Hepatogastroenterology is a 34 bedded facility, including six in high dependency unit and two for patients who need isolation. Last year more than 1500 patients were provided in-patient care in ward and HDU.

The out-patient clinics are held twice weekly in which any patient with liver or gastrointestinal problems may walk in without prior appointments. These clinics are jointly conducted by gastroenterologist, hepatologists, hepatobilliary surgeons, pediatric specialists, radiologists, dieticians and medical social workers. The facility of ultrasound and minor procedures is available at bedside. Last year more than 10,000 patients visited these clinics from all over the country.

The Hepatogastroenterology Department in tandem with ancillary support services provides comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities. This includes state of the art Endoscopy unit and Operation theater facilities along with round-the-clock cover from radiology, laboratory and pharmacy services.

The Endoscopy Unit has facilities for broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreaticography (ERCP), utilizing latest equipment. Last year more than eighteen hundred endoscopic procedures were performed in the unit.

Operation theaters are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies including ultrasonic aspirators, photobeam coagulators, ultrasonic shears and high-definition laparoscopes among others. Added to that, the surgical team is experienced and well rounded in liver, pancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal surgical procedures. This has created an environment which makest possible to perform liver resection as well as complex hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal operations, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy and laparoscopic hemicolectomy among others.

Research

A part from clinical services a lot of focus is on academic and research activity. The department has got full recognition from the College of Physician and Surgeons of Pakistan for the fellowship program in gastroenterology. Currently four trainees are enrolled in the residency program.