Endoscopy
Armenia Medical Center carries out endoscopy procedures of gastrointestinal system. The department conducts not only examinations of stomach, intestines and biliary, but also performs endoscopy surgeries.
In recent years the list of endoscopy interventions became wider. In 2014, the department acquired a new Olympus Videoscope system, which is more functional because of the number of cameras it has (gastroscope, duodenoscope, colonoscope). With the number of performed interventions the Endoscopy department is the leading department in Armenia.
In addition to diagnostic procedures, the department also carries out therapeutic interventions, which were introduced during the last year:
- Esophageal varices, varicose veins elastic ligation
- Esophagus, stomach and colon stenting in case of tumors in gastrointestinal system
- Biliary stenting in case of tumors (metal and plastic stents are applied)
- Endoscopic removal of stones (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography)
For many years, only this Center applied endoscopic procedure to treat Esophageal Achalasia. Now new types of balloons are applied to carry out Pneumatic Balloon Dilation of Achalasia Cardia.
Three years ago, first time in Armenia, the tieing off Esophageal varices was carried out, which is commonly met in patients with cirrhosis. It should be highlighted that viral hepatitis and its complications that lead to cirrhosis became frequent in Armenia. In such cases patients referred to foreign clinics to get elastic ligation procedure. The procedure is applied to stop bleeding and as a preventive method to avoid such complications.
The procedure of systematic widening of esophagus is carried out only in this Center. The procedure is applied in case of esophageal stricture, which usually happens after chemical burns.
The diameter of Bougienage is within the range of 5 mm and 15 mm:
The Department also carries out the following procedures:
- Endoscopic treatment of non variceal haemorrhage through application of clips, coagulation, sclerosants
- Foreign body removal from gastrointestinal system
- Endoscopic gastrostomy
- Endoscopic removal of colon polyp, which is an important factor for colon cancer prevention.
In foreign countries people aged 45- 50 undergo colonoscopy screening which is aimed to detect and remove tumors. Currently, this is the best method to prevent colon cancer.
The department applies gastric balloons in case of obesity. For this procedure endoscope is used. It helps the patient to lose up to 50 kg in a month without any surgical intervention.
The range of therapeutic endoscopy services will become wider in near future as the clinic will introduce new methods. The above mentioned methods were not introduced in Armenia 3-4 years ago.
