Overview
Surgical endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats digestive diseases without abdominal incisions. We guide a thin, flexible tube down your throat to treat digestive conditions internally. Our specialists pioneered the first surgical endoscopy procedures and remain innovators in these advanced therapies today.
Surgical Endoscopy at Cleveland Clinic in Florida: Why Choose Us?
Endoscopic surgery is an evolving field, and our surgeons are on the leading edge of this technology. At our center, you benefit from:
- Expert surgeons: We were the first in the region to treat GI tumors and Barrett’s esophagus with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Only a few centers in the U.S. offer ESD because it requires a high level of skill and experience. Meet our team.
- Comprehensive care: Specialists combine their expertise to determine the best treatment plan for you. Our board-certified general surgeons, colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists work together to cover all your needs.
- Recognized excellence: Gastroenterology and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Florida are nationally ranked for their expertise and care. We’ve earned this distinction through our high volume of procedures and excellent outcomes.
Procedures
Endoscopic surgery is gentler on your body than traditional surgery. You don’t need general anesthesia and the preparation is shorter and easier with these methods. Procedures offered at our center include:
- Ablation for Barrett’s esophagus.
- Balloon enteroscopy.
- Bariatric endoscopy.
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
- Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).
- Endoscopic surgery for gastroparesis.
- Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (feeding tube) placement.
- Peroral cholangioscopy.
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).
- Z-POEM.
Ablation for Barrett’s esophagus
We use specialized tools to destroy Barrett’s esophagus cells without traditional surgery. We use laser and radiofrequency (sound waves) ablation techniques, which don’t require incisions. Learn more about our esophageal and swallowing disorders treatment.
Balloon enteroscopy
Balloon-assisted enteroscopy uses tiny balloons to guide an endoscope through your small intestine. The balloons inflate to hold the walls of your small intestine open, allowing the scope to glide through. Then, our specialist deflates the balloons when they finish viewing each section. With this procedure, our specialists can reach tiny, deep areas that aren’t accessible with other endoscopy techniques.
Balloon enteroscopy allows our specialists to diagnose bleeding, polyps and tumors in this delicate area. We take a biopsy (tissue sample) or remove tumors and polyps with electrocautery (heat energy) when needed. These procedures required traditional abdominal surgery before balloon enteroscopy existed.
Bariatric endoscopy
Minimally invasive bariatric surgery is an option if you can’t have or don’t want traditional weight loss surgery. In our Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, we use endoscopy to:
- Repair complications from previous weight loss surgery.
- Treat weight regained after failed or complicated bariatric procedures.
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
Our specialists remove growths and early-stage GI cancers with an electric current during endoscopic mucosal resection. This procedure treats esophageal, stomach or duodenum (upper part of the small intestine) cancer. Because of our expertise, our EMR procedures have a low rate of cancer recurrence (cancer that comes back).
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography treats bile duct, gallbladder and pancreas conditions. Our specialists use a special dye to highlight and remove biliary and gallstones. We also use ERCP to place stents (tubes) in narrowed bile ducts and take biopsies of suspicious areas or tumors.
We provide ERCP with SpyGlass® technology, which is an enhancement to standard ERCP. SpyGlass® is a detailed camera that allows us to examine the tiniest pancreatic ducts with unmatched detail.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)
Endoscopic submucosal dissection removes tumors in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, similar to EMR. With this procedure, our surgeons create an incision around the tumor and carefully remove it. You have no outside incisions, and the recovery is easier and faster than traditional surgery.
Endoscopic surgery for gastroparesis
Our surgeons are national leaders in treating gastroparesis with endoscopic methods. We’re among a few who place gastric pacemakers with endoscopy and provide the per oral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (POP) procedure. Learn more about our care for gastroparesis.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (feeding tube) placement
A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube provides nutrition directly to the stomach. Our surgeons guide the PEG tube into your stomach using endoscopy rather than open surgery. You have a single incision for the tube with this method, and most people go home the same day.
Peroral cholangioscopy
During peroral cholangioscopy, our specialists use endoscopy to view your bile ducts without traditional surgery. Most patients have a fast recovery and go home the same day. During this procedure, we can:
- Break up bile duct stones or gallstones using laser energy.
- Treat bleeding ulcers in the small intestine using cautery (heat).
- Widen biliary strictures (narrowing of the bile ducts) using a stent (thin, hollow tube).
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
We were among the first in the region to provide peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to treat swallowing disorders like achalasia. Our specialists use an endoscope and tiny scalpel to loosen tightened muscles in your esophagus. In most cases, you go home the next day.
Z-POEM
Z-POEM is a modified version of the POEM procedure that treats Zenker’s diverticulum. Our pioneering doctors were among the first in the nation to use this technique, which requires a high level of precision and expertise.
Zenker’s diverticulum required major surgery before Z-POEM existed. Our techniques treat the condition through your mouth with no outside incisions. We remain one of the few centers in the region to offer this advanced therapy.
Appointments & Locations
Make an appointment at a Cleveland Clinic location in Florida, or schedule a virtual visit.
