Gastroenterology and Hepatology
The Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Ankara Etlik City Hospital provides specialized healthcare services for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of digestive system and liver diseases.
Our department offers comprehensive medical care for conditions affecting the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon.
Our Gastroenterology Clinic provides inpatient services on the 3rd floor, Wards A, B, and C, of the General Hospital (Tower T1). The clinic has a capacity of 66 beds, with both single and double patient rooms.
Our medical team consists of 10 gastroenterology subspecialists, including five physicians serving as teaching faculty and five specialist physicians. As a subspecialty training center, our clinic provides advanced medical training in Gastroenterology.
In addition to our physicians, our inpatient services are supported by 30 nurses, two medical secretaries, and one data entry and control officer. The Endoscopy Unit employs 29 nurses, while two nurses work in the Motility Laboratory.
Outpatient Services
Our outpatient department, located on Basement Level 1 (-1) of the General Hospital, provides services to approximately 400 patients daily through:
6 General Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinics
1 Hepatology Outpatient Clinic
1 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Outpatient Clinic
Our department also operates a Day Infusion Unit, where patients with inflammatory bowel disease receive scheduled infusion therapies.
When clinically indicated, liver biopsy procedures are performed by our specialist physicians in the designated procedure unit.
Endoscopy Services
Our Endoscopy Unit, located within the General Hospital, provides comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic services through:
10 gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedure rooms
2 advanced endoscopic procedure rooms
2 Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) units
3 Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) units
The unit performs an average of:
Additionally, ultrasonography examinations are performed by our gastroenterology subspecialists when clinically indicated, using three ultrasound systems located in the outpatient clinic, inpatient ward, and Endoscopy Unit.
Our Approach to Patient Care
Our experienced medical professionals provide high-quality healthcare services using advanced medical technologies and current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
We adopt an individualized and multidisciplinary approach to patient care, aiming to ensure early diagnosis, effective treatment, and comprehensive follow-up.
Patient safety, comfort, and satisfaction are among our primary priorities. Our modern facilities and patient rooms are designed to provide a comfortable and hygienic healthcare environment throughout the treatment process.
As the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Ankara Etlik City Hospital, we remain committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered healthcare services and contributing to a healthier community.
Diseases Diagnosed and Treated
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition characterized by the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus.
Common symptoms include heartburn, chest discomfort, and belching.
Treatment options may include lifestyle modifications, medications, endoscopic procedures, and surgical interventions, depending on the patient's clinical condition.
2. Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcers are lesions that develop in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.
They may be associated with factors such as Helicobacter pylori infection and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Treatment may include antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors, and other acid-suppressing medications, depending on the underlying cause.
Endoscopic interventions play an important role in the management of actively bleeding peptic ulcers.
3. Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Gastrointestinal bleeding is a potentially serious medical condition that may originate from any part of the digestive tract.
Possible causes include peptic ulcers, tumors, diverticular disease, and esophageal varices.
Treatment may involve endoscopic hemostatic procedures, medications, and surgical interventions when necessary.
4. Chronic Liver Diseases
Chronic liver diseases may develop due to various factors, including alcohol consumption, viral hepatitis infections, and fatty liver disease.
Treatment approaches vary according to the underlying condition and may include medications, dietary modifications, supportive treatment, and liver transplantation in selected patients.
5. Gallbladder and Biliary Tract Diseases
These conditions include gallstones, cholecystitis, and biliary obstruction.
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, and jaundice.
Treatment options may involve medications, gallbladder surgery, and endoscopic interventions.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an important procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract disorders.
At our clinic, ERCP is performed for the evaluation and management of both benign and malignant biliary diseases, including therapeutic and palliative interventions when indicated.
6. Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that may occur in acute or chronic forms.
Common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Treatment depends on the severity and underlying cause of the condition and may require hospitalization, intravenous fluid therapy, and other supportive interventions.
7. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of gut-brain interaction characterized by recurrent abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel habits.
Symptoms may include abdominal discomfort, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
Management may involve dietary modifications, lifestyle adjustments, medications, and stress management strategies.
8. Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (Inflammatory Bowel Disease – IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease refers primarily to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
Common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools.
Crohn's disease may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon and rectum.
Treatment options may include medications, immunosuppressive therapies, biological treatments, and surgical interventions when necessary.
9. Gastrointestinal Cancers
Gastrointestinal cancers require comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and multidisciplinary management.
Our gastroenterology team aims to support early detection and provide appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic interventions.
For selected early-stage lesions, endoscopic treatment techniques such as Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) and Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) may be performed.
In patients with advanced malignancies, therapeutic and palliative endoscopic interventions, including ERCP, stent placement, and dilation procedures, may be used when clinically indicated.
Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer is a malignant disease that develops in the tissues lining the stomach.
Symptoms may include indigestion, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Treatment options may include endoscopic resection for selected early-stage lesions, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and other oncological treatments.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum.
Possible symptoms include blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.
Early diagnosis and appropriate screening are important components of colorectal cancer prevention and management.
Treatment may involve endoscopic resection for selected early lesions, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, depending on the stage and location of the disease.
Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
Hepatocellular carcinoma is a primary liver cancer arising from liver cells.
Symptoms may include abdominal pain, weight loss, jaundice, and abdominal swelling, although early-stage disease may be asymptomatic.
Treatment options may include surgical resection, liver transplantation, locoregional therapies, systemic treatment, and radiotherapy in selected cases.
Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer develops from malignant changes in pancreatic cells.
The disease may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. As it progresses, symptoms may include jaundice, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.
Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive interventions according to the patient's condition and disease stage.
Biliary Tract Cancer
Biliary tract malignancies include cancers affecting the bile ducts and gallbladder.
Symptoms may include jaundice, abdominal pain, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Treatment options may involve surgery, systemic oncological therapies, radiotherapy, and endoscopic biliary stent placement when indicated.
Our specialized medical team provides diagnostic evaluation and individualized treatment planning for these and other gastrointestinal diseases, including rare conditions, using current medical technologies and evidence-based approaches.
Clinical Units
1. Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinics
Our Gastroenterology Outpatient Clinics specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of digestive system disorders.
Patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms undergo clinical evaluation, and individualized diagnostic and treatment plans are developed according to their needs.
2. Hepatology Unit
The Hepatology Unit specializes in the diagnosis and management of liver diseases.
Services include the evaluation and treatment of chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and other hepatological conditions.
3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Unit
The IBD Unit provides specialized diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up services for patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Clinical services include disease monitoring, medical treatment, evaluation of surgical indications, and planning and monitoring of scheduled infusion therapies.
4. Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory
The Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory provides specialized diagnostic examinations to evaluate the movement and functional activity of the digestive tract.
These investigations support the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal motility disorders.
5. Endoscopy Unit
The Endoscopy Unit performs diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures.
These include upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and various interventional endoscopic techniques.
6. EUS/ERCP Unit
The EUS/ERCP Unit specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, including Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
These procedures play an important role in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic and biliary diseases.
7. Advanced Endoscopic Procedures Unit (EMR/ESD)
This unit performs advanced endoscopic interventions, including Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD).
These techniques are primarily used for the treatment of appropriately selected superficial gastrointestinal lesions, including certain early-stage neoplastic lesions.
8. Gastroenterology Ultrasonography Unit
Our Gastroenterology Ultrasonography Unit provides ultrasound examinations to evaluate digestive system organs, including the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Ultrasonography supports the assessment of organ structure and certain functional or disease-related abnormalities.
Endoscopic Procedures
Endoscopic procedures involve examining the internal surfaces of digestive system organs using a flexible instrument called an endoscope, which is equipped with a camera and light source.
These procedures play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures are performed by gastroenterology specialists and help guide appropriate medical management.
1. Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy / Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, also known as Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is a procedure used to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
During the procedure, a flexible endoscope equipped with a camera is inserted through the mouth and advanced into the upper gastrointestinal tract.
This examination enables the detection of inflammatory changes, ulcers, tumors, polyps, and other abnormalities.
When clinically indicated, diagnostic biopsies and therapeutic interventions may also be performed.
These interventions include polyp removal, treatment of bleeding lesions, dilation of strictures, and gastrointestinal stent placement.
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures performed at our clinic include:
Examination and follow-up of esophageal, gastric, and duodenal lesions
Diagnosis, surveillance, and endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus
Evaluation and treatment of gastric polyps
Diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Esophageal variceal band ligation
Endoscopic treatment of esophageal and pyloric strictures
Endoscopic management of esophageal fistulas
Gastrointestinal stent placement
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement
Intragastric balloon placement for obesity management
Anti-reflux Mucosal Ablation (ARMA)
Anti-reflux Mucosectomy (ARMS)
2. Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure used to examine the inner lining of the colon and rectum and, when appropriate, the terminal ileum.
During the examination, a flexible colonoscope equipped with a camera is introduced through the anus and advanced through the large intestine.
Colonoscopy enables the detection of inflammatory changes, ulcers, tumors, polyps, and other gastrointestinal abnormalities.
Diagnostic biopsies and therapeutic interventions may also be performed during the procedure.
These interventions include polypectomy, treatment of bleeding lesions, balloon dilation of strictures, and colonic stent placement.
Colonoscopy procedures performed at our clinic include:
Screening colonoscopy and diagnostic colorectal examinations
Endoscopic removal of colonic polyps, including large lesions
Endoscopic treatment of colonic strictures, including balloon dilation
Diagnosis, monitoring, and endoscopic management of inflammatory bowel disease
Endoscopic treatment of selected Crohn's disease-related intestinal strictures
Colonic stent placement
3. Advanced Endoscopic Procedures
Advanced endoscopic procedures involve specialized diagnostic and therapeutic interventions that extend beyond conventional endoscopy.
These procedures generally require advanced equipment and specialized medical expertise.
They may provide minimally invasive alternatives or complementary approaches to conventional surgical treatment for selected gastrointestinal conditions.
Advanced endoscopic interventions include gastrointestinal stent placement, endoscopic management of strictures, balloon dilation, endoscopic stricturotomy, closure of leaks and fistulas, cyst drainage, and removal of necrotic tissue.
Selected anti-reflux endoscopic procedures are also included among advanced therapeutic interventions.
Advanced endoscopic procedures performed at our clinic include:
Gastrointestinal stent placement
Endoscopic treatment of gastrointestinal strictures
Endoscopic Balloon Dilation (EBD)
Endoscopic Stricturotomy
4. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an advanced endoscopic procedure used primarily for the diagnosis and treatment of selected biliary and pancreatic duct disorders.
During ERCP, a flexible endoscope called a duodenoscope is introduced through the mouth and advanced through the stomach into the duodenum.
The opening of the bile and pancreatic ducts, known as the major duodenal papilla, is identified.
A catheter is then introduced through this opening, and contrast material may be injected into the ducts under fluoroscopic guidance to obtain diagnostic images.
ERCP enables the evaluation and treatment of various conditions, including bile duct stones, postoperative bile leaks, biliary strictures, and selected pancreatic or biliary tumors.
Tissue samples or brush cytology specimens may be obtained when necessary.
Although ERCP may provide diagnostic information, it is primarily used as a therapeutic procedure in modern clinical practice.
ERCP procedures performed at our clinic address conditions including:
Common bile duct stones
Biliary strictures
Biliary injuries and bile leaks
Cholangiocarcinoma
Bile duct cysts
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC)
Bacterial and parasitic cholangitis
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic duct strictures and stones
Biliary and pancreatic stent replacement
Removal of migrated stents from the biliary and pancreatic ducts
5. Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS), also known as endosonography, is an advanced diagnostic procedure that combines endoscopy with ultrasonography.
During the procedure, a flexible endoscope equipped with an ultrasound transducer is introduced through the mouth and advanced through the upper gastrointestinal tract.
EUS enables detailed examination of the walls of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, as well as nearby structures.
These may include the pancreas, gallbladder, common bile duct, lymph nodes, adjacent blood vessels, and certain structures within the chest and abdominal cavities.
Ultrasound guidance enables the assessment, staging, and tissue sampling of gastrointestinal and adjacent lesions.
When clinically indicated, therapeutic interventions such as stent placement, cyst drainage, and injection procedures may also be performed.
EUS procedures performed at our clinic include:
Evaluation of subepithelial lesions (SELs)
Assessment of pancreatic lesions, including cysts and tumors
Evaluation of biliary tract abnormalities, including stones and masses
EUS-guided Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) of subepithelial lesions
EUS-guided Fine-Needle Aspiration and Fine-Needle Biopsy (FNA/FNB) of pancreatic cysts, masses, and suspected malignancies
EUS-guided cystogastrostomy and cystoduodenostomy
6. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) and Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection is an advanced endoscopic resection technique used to remove selected superficial neoplastic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract.
During ESD, the lesion is carefully dissected within the submucosal layer to enable removal, often in a single piece.
This technique may allow complete endoscopic removal of selected early-stage cancers and precancerous lesions.
ESD is generally not appropriate as definitive treatment for advanced cancers with deep invasion or distant spread.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection is a technique used to remove superficial lesions from the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
The lesion may be lifted through submucosal injection or other specialized techniques before being removed with an endoscopic snare.
EMR is commonly used for selected precancerous lesions and early-stage neoplastic abnormalities.
At our clinic, ESD and EMR procedures are performed for selected lesions involving:
Esophagus
Stomach
Colon
Rectum
7. Double-Balloon Enteroscopy (DBE)
Double-Balloon Enteroscopy is an advanced endoscopic technique used to examine and treat disorders affecting the small intestine.
The procedure utilizes a specialized endoscope and an overtube equipped with two inflatable balloons.
These balloons assist the controlled advancement of the endoscope through the small intestine, allowing detailed visualization and therapeutic intervention.
Double-Balloon Enteroscopy plays an important role in the evaluation and treatment of conditions such as small intestinal bleeding, tumors, and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Procedures performed at our clinic include:
8. Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory
The Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory provides diagnostic services for assessing the movement and functional activity of the digestive system.
These investigations support the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Diagnostic and therapeutic services may include:
Esophageal motility testing
Esophageal manometry
24-hour esophageal pH monitoring
Anorectal manometry
Pelvic floor rehabilitation using biofeedback therapy
Evaluation of other gastrointestinal motility disorders
Our Gastrointestinal Motility Laboratory provides specialized diagnostic assessment and supports individualized treatment planning for patients with complex gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Through the use of modern medical technologies and current clinical approaches, our experienced team aims to provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services.