Combined Endoscopy-Laparoscopy Surgery

Endoscopic intervention, either via upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy or colonoscopy, is widely applied for removal of polyps/suspicious lesions in gastrointestinal tract. There are some occasions that due to size or location of the lesion, an endoscopic removal is not feasible, and patients will be referred for surgical resection.

For difficult to remove colonic polyps, combination of laparoscopic surgery with colonoscopy can increase the chance of colonoscopy removal and prevent unnecessary open surgery. During this procedure, colonoscopy removal can be attempted by an endoscopist while the surgeon tries to increase the exposure. If still endoscopic removal is not feasible, limited laparoscopic resection (wedge resection) under colonoscopy guidance can be performed; again, preventing extensive colonic resection.

Combination of laparoscopy with endoscopy can be used for minimally invasive management of a wide variety of upper gastrointestinal disease such as large stomach polyps, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and pancreas pseudocysts.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s Cancer Surgery program is one of a few CELS programs in the Los Angeles area that proudly provides cutting-edge service to the Inland Empire community.

Please call Dr. Rahnemai Azar’s office at 909-588-3555 for more information or any referral questions.