Gastroenterology

Approximately 60-70 million Americans are suffering from gastrointestinal (GI) diseases that are affecting their lives on a regular basis. Some research shows as many as 40% of Americans have stopped routine activities, like exercise or spending time with friends, due to uncomfortable bowel symptoms.

Our physicians are recognized leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal or digestive system disorders. With proper identification and treatment, GI discomfort can be decreased or eliminated.

Gastroenterology is a medical specialty that focuses on issues with the digestive system. This can include the esophagus, stomach, small intestine and colon (also called the large intestine). Taken together, these organs are often referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

The GI specialists at the health system are experts in identifying and treating a wide range of disorders that disrupt digestion. Those disorders include:

• Achalasia (Difficulty swallowing)
• Constipation
• Crohn's disease
• Diarrhea
• Fecal incontinence
• Gallstones
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• GI cancers
• Heartburn
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Liver diseases
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pancreatitis
• Peptic ulcer disease

Our GI team offers a wide range of leading-edge treatments and diagnostic screenings for gastrointestinal disorders.

Colorectal screening, or colonoscopy, is a procedure used to detect abnormalities or changes in the colon and rectum, including colon cancer. We offer the latest options for colorectal screenings, such as CT colonography, flexible sigmoidoscopy and stool testing.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be treated at our multidisciplinary inflammatory bowel disease program. It’s the only one of its kind in Kansas. Get care from gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, dietitians, a psychologist, a group of specialized radiologists, a pathologist, a pharmacy and an infusion center all under one roof.

We provide leading-edge minimally invasive bariatric endoscopic procedures. Those include endoscopic intragastric balloon placement and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. Both reduce the size and volume of the stomach but in different ways. For patients who have already had gastric bypass surgery but are struggling with weight gain, we can perform transoral outlet reduction (TORe). TORe is an endoscopic procedure that tightens the gastric outlet with stitches to decrease the size of the opening and aid weight loss.

Achalasia, a swallowing disorder, can involve the esophagus. We offer the innovative peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to achieve a quick recovery and long-lasting success. We also offer other types of gastrointestinal surgery to treat common disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disease and pancreatic cancer. Our surgeons have been performing and refining minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery since the early 1980s and use some of the world’s leading robotic technology.

U.S. News & World Report has recognized our gastroenterology program as among the best 50 in the nation. Get care from board-certified specialists, many with additional fellowship experience in hepatology, inflammatory bowel disease and endoscopy.

Additionally, The University of Kansas Health System is part of an academic medical center where physicians from multiple specialties collaborate on treatments. We provide access to the latest and most comprehensive diagnostic and treatment options and a continuous network of care. Here, specialists are often located across the hall instead of across town.

We offer several locations throughout the Kansas City metro area:

• Medical Pavilion, 2000 Olathe Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160. See hours and directions to the Medical Pavilion.
• Olathe Medical Pavilion A, 20375 West 151st St., Olathe, KS 66061. See hours and directions to Olathe Medical Pavilion A.
• College Square Medical Pavilion, 12000 West 110th St., Overland Park, KS 66210. See hours and direction to College Square Medical Pavilion.
• KU MedWest, 7405 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 66217. See hours and directions to KU MedWest.
• Indian Creek Campus, 10710 Nall Ave., Overland Park, KS 66211. See hours and directions to Indian Creek.