Gastroenterology

About the department

The Gastroenterology-Oncology Department of the Theagenio Hospital was founded in 1986. It offers comprehensive services, always following the latest developments in gastroenterology and digestive oncology, to patients with diseases of the digestive system, which concern the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant pathological conditions of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. Particular emphasis is placed on the prevention of cancer of the digestive tract. The operation of the Department is based on the principles governing the National Health System and relating to the free and equal access of citizens to health services.

The Department has 20 beds for the treatment of patients on the 4th floor of the University Hospital of Thessaloniki. There are outpatient clinics for gastroenterological-oncological cases, Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, liver and biliary diseases, cancer prevention, as well as a clinic in the Day Care Unit. Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopies covering the widest range of modern gastroenterology are performed in the Endoscopy Unit. The Gastroenterology Department provides full training in the specialty of gastroenterology (five residency positions).

The specialized doctors of the Department, having the knowledge, experience, and skills required for the diagnosis and treatment of common and complex diseases of the digestive system, treat cases of patients with:

  • Malignant diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine
  • Idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)
  • Polyps of the colon and stomach
  • Pancreatic diseases (pancreatic cancer, pancreatic cysts, chronic pancreatitis)
  • Biliary diseases (malignant strictures, biliary cholelithiasis)
  • Liver diseases (neoplasms, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis)
  • Neuroendocrine neoplasms
  • Inherited colorectal cancer syndromes
  • Celiac disease
  • Autoimmune digestive diseases
  • Barrett’s esophagus, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia of the stomach

Medical Scientific Staff

Dimitris Tzilves

Director

Georgia Lazaraki

Director

Konstantinos Soufleris

Supervisor A'

Maria Stafylidou

Supervisor B'

Efthimios Hatzopoulos

Assistant Physician

Special Units

Endoscopy Unit

More than 5000 endoscopies are performed annually, diagnostic and therapeutic, by medical staff trained in interventional endoscopy with the help of appropriately trained nursing staff. The Unit consists of three endoscopy rooms on the 4th floor and one room for endoscopy under fluoroscopic control on the 2nd floor (ERCP). It has modern equipment, which is in the process of being renewed and enriched with the supply of a state-of-the-art ultrasound endoscope, an enteroscope, a new endoscopic unit with high-resolution endoscopes, an X-ray machine, a cabinet for the storage and maintenance of endoscopes. The relocation of the Endoscopy Unit to a larger and more functional space that will include a waiting room, an appropriately equipped recovery room, and an endoscope cleaning and disinfection room, is expected.

The following examinations are carried out in the Endoscopy Unit
  • upper and lower digestive tract endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy)
  • Endoscopic removal of polyps
  • ERCP for the placement of plastic or metal stents
  • ERCP for stone removal
  • Endoscopic ultrasound with cellular material with FNA needle
  • Endoscopic stenting of malignant esophageal strictures
  • Esophageal and colonic strictures dilatation
  • Esophageal variceal ligation
  • Endoscopic placement of gastrostomy catheters
  • Cauterization of lesions using Argon (APC)
  • Small bowel control with video capsule

Activities

The Department of Gastroenterology has a rich scientific activity that includes attendance of Greek and International conferences with the presentation of papers, participation with lectures and presentations in Conferences, Post-graduate Courses, Educational Days, participation in chairmanships and Organizing Committees of Conferences, publications in scientific journals. He also participates in a large number of international multicenter studies.

The educational program of the Department includes literature updates, presentation of scientific articles, clinical cases once a week and lasts from October to July.

doctor-1

Operational Programme

The Endoscopy Unit operates by scheduled appointments, Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.00

The Outpatient Clinic is open by appointment on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9.00 to 14.30

The Outpatient Clinic in the Day Care Unit is open on Wednesdays and Fridays

Font Resize
Accessibility by WAH