Procedures

Gandel Foundation Intestinal Ultrasound Centre

Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a unique transabdominal ultrasound used to examine the entire intestinal tract. IUS is non-invasive and does not require bowel preparation or fasting. Patients receive their results in real time during the procedure.

Associate Professor Antony Friedman pioneered this technology in Australia. In 2012, he undertook an Intestinal Ultrasound Fellowship at the Ospedale Luigi Sacco in Milan, Italy. Following this, Antony established the Gandel Foundation Intestinal Ultrasound Centre at The Alfred, the first of its kind in Australia. Antony is the Head of the Centre and has trained more than thirty specialists in IUS from around the world. Through the ongoing generosity of the Gandel Foundation, the Centre remains the only dedicated full time service in Australia of this cutting-edge technology.

Both Associate Professor Antony Friedman and Dr Tan have regular IUS sessions at The Alfred. Patients can undergo this scan with no out-of-pocket costs.

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a procedure performed in hospital by your doctor. A thin flexible instrument containing a camera is inserted into the mouth and used to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. During a gastroscopy, biopsies may be taken and lesions may be removed. A specialist anaesthetist will give you an intravenous sedative so that you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.

To prepare for a gastroscopy, you are required to fast. Instructions regarding the timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is a procedure performed in hospital by your doctor. A thin flexible instrument containing a camera is inserted into the rectum and used to examine the colon and terminal ileum. During a colonoscopy, biopsies may be taken and lesions may be removed. A specialist anaesthetist will give you an intravenous sedative so that you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.

To prepare for a colonoscopy, you are required to drink bowel preparation solution and fast. Instructions regarding the bowel preparation products and timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

Capsule Endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that is performed in hospital by your doctor or at the Melbourne Centre for Gastroenterology. It is used to examine the small bowel which cannot be accessed via gastroscopy or colonoscopy. The capsule contains a camera and transmitter and is about 25mm in length. The camera takes frequent photos which are transmitted via Bluetooth to a recording device comfortably worn on a belt around your waist. The data is downloaded for your gastroenterologist to subsequently analyse.

To prepare for capsule endoscopy, you are required to drink bowel preparation solution and fast. Instructions regarding the bowel preparation products and timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

FibroScan®

FibroScan is a non-invasive ultrasound used to measure the fibrosis or scarring of the liver. It is performed in conjunction with an ultrasound assessment of liver architecture. Patients receive their results in real time during the procedure. FibroScan is widely accepted as the first-line assessment of liver fibrosis in many liver conditions.

Dr Natassia Tan is qualified to perform FibroScan at multiple hospitals. Patients can undergo this scan with no out-of-pocket costs.

Faecal Microbial Transplantation

Associate Professor Antony Friedman performs faecal microbial transplantation for specific gastrointestinal indications. He is a leader in this field and uses Australia’s first TGA-approved biological therapy for restoration of gut microbiota, produced by BiomeBank. The treatment is delivered via colonoscopy and patients will require a consultation with Associate Professor Antony Friedman to determine their suitability for this treatment.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure performed in hospital by your doctor. It is used to investigate and treat problems with the bile ducts or pancreas. A thin flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and into the intestines. X-rays are used together with the camera to perform non-invasive procedures such as treating blockages, removing gallstones and taking tissue samples. A specialist anaesthetist will give you an intravenous sedative so that you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.

To prepare for an ERCP, you are required to fast. Instructions regarding the timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

Dr Shane Selvanderan is qualified to perform ERCP at multiple hospitals.

Endoscopic Ultrasound

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a procedure performed in hospital by your doctor. It is used to investigate problems with the oesophagus, stomach and intestines, as well as nearby structures such as lymph nodes, gallbladder and pancreas. A thin flexible tube with a both a camera and ultrasound probe is advanced through the mouth. High-quality internal ultrasound images can be obtained, and if required, tissue sampling can be performed at the same time. A specialist anaesthetist will give you an intravenous sedative so that you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.

To prepare for an EUS, you are required to fast. Instructions regarding the timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

Dr Shane Selvanderan is qualified to perform endoscopic ultrasound at multiple hospitals.

Double Balloon Enteroscopy

Double balloon enteroscopy is a procedure performed in hospital by your doctor. A long, thin tube (an enteroscope) with attached balloons and a camera at the tip can be passed either through the mouth, or through the rectum, and advanced deep into the small intestine. Balloon enteroscopy is used to diagnose, sample or treat problems in the small intestine that are located beyond the reach of gastroscopy or colonoscopy. A specialist anaesthetist will give you an intravenous sedative so that you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.

To prepare for a balloon enteroscopy, you are required to fast. Bowel preparation may also be required. Instructions regarding the bowel preparation products and timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

Dr Shane Selvanderan is qualified to perform double balloon enteroscopy at multiple hospitals.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are specialised, minimally invasive endoscopic techniques used to remove precancerous lesions, advanced polyps or early cancers from the lining of the gut. These procedures are performed in hospital by your doctor. A thin flexible camera is inserted either into the mouth or through the rectum to the relevant area. Devices can be introduced through the camera to carefully remove the precancerous or cancerous growths. Many of these conditions previously required surgery. A specialist anaesthetist will give you an intravenous sedative so that you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.

To prepare for an EMR or ESD, you are required to fast. Bowel preparation may also be required. Instructions regarding the bowel preparation products and timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

Dr Shane Selvanderan is qualified to perform EMR and ESD at multiple hospitals.

Haemorrhoid Banding

Haemorrhoid banding is a procedure where rubber bands are used to tie off haemorrhoids at the base. This cuts off the blood supply to the haemorrhoid, resulting in it shrinking and falling off about a week after the procedure. This procedure is performed at the same time as a colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy (short colonoscopy). A specialist anaesthetist will give you an intravenous sedative so that you will be asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.

To prepare for haemorrhoid banding, you are required to fast, and some bowel preparation will be required. Instructions regarding the bowel preparation products and timing will be given to you when you book your procedure.

Dr Shane Selvanderan is qualified to perform haemorrhoid banding at multiple hospitals.