Most Common Procedures
Your physician has been credentialed to perform more than 50 different types of procedures and studies at SEC. While every patient is unique, and we cannot adequately give specialized information about every case type, the vast majority of procedures at SEC are from the major categories below. For further information, we encourage you to consult our staff or your physician.
COLONOSCOPY
A colonoscopy is a visual examination of the entire large intestine, also known as the colon. This exam is used to explore possible causes of abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea and other intestinal problems. A colonoscopy is also used as a method of screening for colon cancer.
UPPER ENDOSCOPY (EGD)
An upper endoscopy, also known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is a procedure used to determine the cause of gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms including heartburn, the presence of hiatal hernias, the cause of abdominal pain, unexplained anemia, and the cause of swallowing difficulties, upper GI bleeding, and the presence of tumors or ulcers.
FLEXIBLE SIGMOIDOSCOPY
A sigmoidoscopy is an internal exam of the lower part of the large intestine (colon) using a short, thin, flexible lighted tube. Your doctor may perform a sigmoidoscopy when they only need to examine a smaller portion of your large intestine than they would with a colonoscopy.
INFUSIONS
Your doctor may have prescribed you a drug known as a biologic (typically Remicade or Humira), which helps your body tolerate certain conditions. Remicade is infused through the vein, a routine process that takes about 4 hours.
CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY
A capsule endoscopy is a procedure that takes advantage of new technology where a patient swallows a small pill-sized camera. The camera takes images of your body and transmits them to a small recording device worn on the patient’s belt for about 8 hours.
PARACENTESIS
Paracentesis is a procedure to take out fluid that has collected in the belly (peritoneal fluid). This fluid buildup is called ascites. Ascites may be caused by infection, inflammation, an injury, or other conditions, such as cirrhosis or cancer.
ESOPHAGEAL MOTILITY STUDIES
A motility study is an examination of the upper portion of your digestive tract using an external monitoring machine. Our staff and state-of-the-art equipment are available to perform this testing so your doctor can help chart a course of treatment to solve many common digestive disorders.
PEG TUBE PLACEMENT & REMOVAL
If your care requires the use of a small tube to connect with your stomach, our physicians are trained and equipped to provide this for you, to modify the tube for your comfort, and to remove it when your treatment is concluded.
BREATH TESTING
Breath testing utilizes a machine to examine small microbes in your saliva that indicate the presence of certain conditions or traits, which may help eliminate the need for more invasive testing or diagnoses.