What is an upper gastrointestinal surgeon?

Upper GI surgeons are responsible for the surgical management of patients with disorders of the upper gastrointestinal tract:

• Oesophagus
• Stomach
• Duodenum
• Small bowel
• Pancreas
• Liver
• Biliary tree

Upper GI surgeons are often involved in the investigation and surgical management (if required) of

• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Abdominal pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Weight loss

What medical conditions do upper GI surgeons treat

• Peptic ulcer disease
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux
• Tumours, benign and malignant of the upper gastrointestinal tract
• Strictures of the upper GI tract
• Foreign bodies in the GI tract
• Bleeding of the upper Gi tract
• Liver disease

What procedures and operations do upper GI surgeons perform?

Upper GI surgeons have a large number of procedures and operations they perform. Some of these include:

• Endoscopy
• Endoscopic ultrasonography
• Small bowel enteroscopy
• Capsule endoscopy
• Laparoscopic surgery of the upper GI tract
• Open surgery of the upper Gi tract
• Gastrectomy
• Oesophagectomy
• Pancreaticoduodenectomy (whipple procedure)
• Liver resection
• Biliary surgery
• Cholecystectomy

Training and qualifications

• Basic medical training
• Internship
• Residency
• Specialty training

Links

• Find an Upper GI Surgeon
• Surgeons.org – Upper Gastrointestinal, Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary and Obesity Surgery
• Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA)
• Wikipedia – Gastrointestinal tract

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If in doubt, HealthEngine recommends consulting with a registered health practitioner.