We can provide treatment and support if you have any of these conditions:

  • achalasia
  • acid reflux
  • gallstone disease
  • hiatus hernia
  • oesophageal cancer
  • stomach or gastric cancer     

Depending on your circumstances, your GP will either refer you to our outpatient department or directly to the endoscopy department. Your 1st appointment will either be with a consultant or specialist nurse.

At your appointment, your consultant may want to do some investigations and procedures to help with your diagnosis. This could include:

  • an x-ray, ultrasound, MRI or CT scan
  • a manometry and pH test
  • an endoscopy

Manometry and pH tests

These tests assess the function of your food pipe (oesophagus) using a small plastic tube with sensors. The tube is passed through your mouth or nose into your oesophagus to measure the muscle activity for 20 minutes. This tube is then removed and a 2nd smaller tube is passed through your nose to record acid reflux for 24 hours.

Both of these tests are performed as an outpatient procedure by specialist nurses. You’ll be able to go home and come back the next day to have the tube removed. The tests will then by analysed and you’ll be invited to another outpatient appointment to discuss the results.
 

Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using an instrument called an endoscope. An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube that has a light source and camera at one end. Images of the inside of your body are relayed to a television screen.

An endoscopy is usually performed as a day patient procedure under local anaesthetic or sedation. After having an endoscopy, you'll probably need to rest for about an hour until the effects of the local anaesthetic or sedative have worn off.
 

Surgery

Your consultant may suggest you need laparoscopic or keyhole surgery. Only small incisions are made during laparoscopic surgery, which means it's less painful afterwards and you'll recover more quickly.

A laparoscopy is carried out under general anaesthetic, so you won't feel any pain during the procedure. Often, you can go home on the same day of your laparoscopy, however you may need to stay in hospital overnight.

If you’re having surgery for oesophageal or gastric cancer, this will involve a large operation and a long recovery time. Your treatment will be tailored to your circumstances and your care team will be able to answer any questions you have.

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