Gastroenterology

Our Approach to Gastroenterology

Very few programs can say that patients come from everywhere in the country and beyond to seek out our services, providers, groundbreaking research and trials. At IU Health, we can.

We take a team approach to your health. Our physicians provide a full range of diagnostic and treatment options. We work with you to find the best solutions for your condition. That way you can get back to living and enjoying life to the fullest.

Our program with highly-specialized physicians is known for its success in diagnostics, screenings, procedures and treatments.

Our program offers complete services for all digestive and liver disorders. This includes screening, therapeutic endoscopic procedures and GI motility disorders. Among many highlights, we're trusted because we offer:

• One of the top colonoscopy experts in the world.
• Experience that comes from completing a high volume of successful procedures.
• Robotic pancreatic surgery. This leads to shorter hospital stays, fewer complications and faster recovery time for you.
• Advance technologies such as:
  • Mini scopes to investigate diseases of the pancreas and biliary tree,
  • Lithotripsy of pancreatic stones
  • Natural orifice transgastric endoluminal surgery (NOTES)

Why IU Health for Gastroenterology

We are able to offer the latest in care, treatments, technology, research and education. We have many programs and specialties, including:

Colorectal Cancer Screening & Advanced Colonoscopy Program

We've helped develop the latest strategies for bowel prep, procedural sedation, colonoscopy equipment and techniques, and quality metrics.

We serve as the referral center for colonoscopies failed elsewhere. We are experienced in the endoscopic removal of very large polyps, especially those in the right colon that are typically difficult for endoscopic removal.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Program

Our team specializes in the diagnosis and management of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. We use clinical research and industry-sponsored clinical trials in our treatment plans. This provides you with the best possible options for care.

GI Motility Program

The Neurogastroenterology & Motility Program at IU Health consists of GI Motility, GI Motility Diagnostic Laboratory and the Motility Research Unit. Our motility location is a comprehensive referral center for the evaluation and treatment of patients with disorders such as:

• Achalasia
• Gastroesophageal reflux
• Gastroparesis
• Functional dyspepsia
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Constipation
• Fecal incontinence

We offer full diagnostic and treatment services only available at a nationally recognized hospital level, including:

• Gastric electrical stimulation for gastroparesis (temporary and permanent)
• Medical and surgical treatment of complex esophageal disorders
• Biofeedback for pelvic floor disorders
• Therapies available under clinical research trials

Hepatology Program Including Hepatitis C and Fatty Liver Disease

As one of the largest hepatology programs in the country, we provide expert consultation and the latest treatments. We help patients with acute and chronic liver conditions, including:

• Fulminant liver failure
• Cirrhosis
• End-stage liver disease

Our program has been a pioneer in the field of new treatments for hepatitis C, which has helped thousands of patients.

Ongoing federal research in fatty liver disease, drug hepatotoxicity, sclerosing cholangitis and alcoholic liver disease is bringing new hope for improved treatments and better results for our patients.

Innovative and Third-Space Endoscopy

The Innovative Endoscopy team at IU Health pioneers minimally invasive treatments, once exclusive to surgery. Advanced endoscopists perform groundbreaking procedures, including:

• Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia
• Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early GI cancers
• Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) for gastro-esophageal reflux disease
• Gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy (G-POEM) for gastroparesis
• Zenker’s peroral endoscopic myotomy (Z-POEM) for Zenker’s diverticulum. 

Patients are referred throughout the Midwest to our leading experts for innovative treatment of these rare disorders.

Liver & Multivisceral Transplant Program

Patients come from all over the country to receive abdominal organ transplant at IU Health.

As one of the largest transplant programs in the United States, we perform the most small bowel and multivisceral transplant procedures. Our reputation for excellence is backed with impressive patient and graft survival. Our patients also enjoy exceptional care and very short waiting times (on average, less than six months).

ERCP Program

The ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) Program at IU Health is at the forefront of innovation. We offer stone extraction, stent placement, lithotripsy, spyglass procedures and photodynamic therapies from patients from around the world.

With more than 3,000 procedures performed annually, we are a recognized leader. We serve as the referral center for ERCP procedures failed elsewhere. We provide quality, personalized care for our patients. This includes dedicated ongoing federal research of the most advanced endoscopic techniques.

EUS (Endoscopic Ultrasound) Program

IU Health is one of the highest volume centers in the country for diagnostic and therapeutic EUS (endoscopic ultrasound) procedures. We perform more than 2,500 annually.

Our team of physicians is conducting groundbreaking research in using EUS for the treatment of esophageal, pancreatic and rectal cancers.

Double & Single Balloon Enteroscopy Program

IU Health is home to one of the largest deep enteroscopy programs in the Midwest. We offer the most advanced technology for diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.

We are known for our excellent short- and long-term patient results. Our specialized care includes a hybrid procedure for patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy.

Barrett’s Treatment Program

The expert team of specialists at IU Health offer the most advanced options for diagnosing and treating Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia.

We are experienced in radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy. Our providers offer complete screening, along with progressive endoscopic procedures that result in better outcomes.

Medically Supervised Weight Loss Program

The team of medical professionals at IU Health work together to help you in achieve a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Our trained bariatrician has extensive experience in the medically supervised weight loss program using high protein dietary intervention. She complements our surgeons who head one of the leading bariatric surgery programs in the state.

Diagnostic Tests & Monitoring Procedures

We offer many advanced diagnostic tests and monitoring procedures. These include:

• High-resolution esophageal impedance & manometry: This test measures the strength and function of the muscles in the esophagus. We use this for many reasons, including evaluating the cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Ambulatory esophageal pH & impedance monitoring: This monitoring is used to evaluate for GERD. We also use it to see how well the medications that prevent acid reflux are doing.
• Bravo esophageal pH wireless monitoring: This monitoring helps determine how well the medicine that prevents acid reflux are doing.
• Hydrogen breath test: This test provides information about the digestion of certain sugars or carbohydrates, such as milk sugar (lactose) or fruit sugar (fructose). It's used to determine lactose intolerance or to find unusual growth of bacteria within the small bowel.
• High resolution anorectal manometry with compliance: This test measures the strength, sensation and coordination of the rectal and anal sphincter muscles. It's used for patients with diarrhea, fecal incontinence and constipation.
• Small bowel manometry: This tests provides information about the muscle activity of the stomach and small bowel. We use it to see what area of the GI tract is not working properly—the stomach, the small intestine or both.
• Electrogastrography with provocation: This test provides information on electrical activity of the stomach. This is commonly abnormal in patients with nausea and vomiting.
• Gastric neurostimulator analysis: This evaluates the function of the gastric electrical stimulator in patients with severe gastroparesis.
• Smart Pill: The Smart Pill uses wireless sensor technology to measure pressure, pH and temperature in the digestive tract.
• Video capsule endoscopy: We examine the lining of the middle part of the gastrointestinal tract. This includes the portions of the small intestine which cannot be reached by traditional upper endoscopy or by colonoscopy. It's useful for detecting polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcers and tumors of the small intestine.