Interventional GI

What is Interventional GI?

UVA Interventional Endoscopy in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is staffed by physicians Bryan Sauer, Vanessa Shami, Daniel Strand, Ross Buerlein, Alexander Podboy, and Andrew Wang.  Together, they offer experienced consultative care for patients with luminal, pancreaticobiliary, and oncologic disorders of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

UVA Interventional Endoscopy utilizes innovative and specialized endoscopic procedures to achieve its goal of providing advanced patient care of the highest quality. For some of these advanced procedures, patients are referred to us from the mid-Atlantic region and across the country.

UVA Interventional Endoscopy, in collaboration with other faculty members in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, offers the following:

Diagnostic Endoscopy

Diagnostic endoscopies are performed to visualize the GI tract to diagnose abnormal conditions. If abnormal conditions are discovered, they may be treated medically, surgically, or endoscopically.

In a diagnostic GI endoscopy, physicians use endoscopes — sophisticated instruments with a thin, flexible tube equipped with a tiny camera and light — to see inside the GI tract. The endoscope is inserted through the mouth or rectum. A biopsy may be performed to collect a tissue sample when abnormalities such as polyps, ulcers, or strictures are found. The results will then guide medical treatment. When precancerous polyps are found, the diagnostic endoscopy may then be followed by a therapeutic endoscopy, during which the polyp is removed to reduce the risk of cancer developing in the digestive tract in the future.

Interventional Endoscopy

In addition to diagnostic procedures, UVA Interventional Endoscopy offers advanced endoscopic procedures, such as:

• Advanced polypectomy, including:
  • Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
  • Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)

• Peroral Endoscopy Myotomy (POEM), including:
  • Esophageal POEM
  • Gastric POEM
  • Zenker’s POEM

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), including with:
  • Lithotripsy (mechanical, laser, electrohydraulic/EHL)
  • Endobiliary Ablation
    • Radiofrequency Ablation
    • Photodynamic Therapy
  • Plastic and metal stenting
  • Cholangioscopy
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-directed Transgastric ERCP (EDGE)

• Endobariatrics, including:
• Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) and Endoscopic revision of previous sleeve gastrectomy (revisional ESG)
• Endoscopic balloon placement for weight loss
• Endoscopic revision of gastric bypass (TORe)
• Gastric Tunneled Stricturotomy for the treatment of refractory surgical sleeve stenosis
• Endoscopic management of roux en y gastric bypass candy cane syndrome
• Endoscopic reversal of roux en y gastric bypass (GATE)
• Endoscopic suturing for management of bariatric surgical leaks
• Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), including:
  • EUS-directed fine needle injection of chemotherapy for pancreatic cyst ablation
  • EUS-directed liver biopsy
  • EUS-directed portal pressure measurements
  • EUS-directed biliary access

• Endoscopic necrosectomy and cyst gastrostomy
• Single Balloon Enteroscopy
  • Antegrade
  • Retrograde
  • ERCP