Gastrointestinal Health

Gastric & Colorectal Cancer

Before cancer forms, small adenomatous polyps grow in the digestive system and eventually turn into cancerous tissues over a period of about 5-10 years. This makes colonoscopy and gastroscopy crucial for preventing and treating cancer early. People at higher risk include those over 50, those with a family history of digestive disease, and those who use alcohol or tobacco.

To identify cancer at its earliest stages or even prevent it altogether, doctors use the adenoma detection rate (ADR) as a key measure of quality during colonoscopy and gastroscopy. Research shows that patients whose doctors have an ADR of less than 20% are more than 10 times more likely to develop cancer (Kaminski MF, Regula J, Kraszewska E, et al., 2010). Additionally, recent studies suggest 3D endoscopy may enhance ADR compared to traditional 2D endoscopy.

Doctors often perform Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) or Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) to remove precancerous areas. Here's how these procedures work:

Achalasia

Achalasia is a condition that affects swallowing, making it hard for food or liquid to move down the esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth and stomach). It occurs when the muscles in the esophagus don't contract properly, preventing food or liquid from reaching the stomach. Symptoms include heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation (bringing up undigested food), coughing, choking, and significant weight loss. Achalasia commonly affects adults aged 30 to 60 and is twice as likely to occur in men than in women.

When doctors diagnose someone with achalasia, they may recommend a procedure called peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). During this procedure, an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera) is passed through the mouth to the esophagus. Then, a myotomy is performed to relax the muscles in the esophagus, allowing food and liquid to pass through more easily into the stomach. Furthermore, some suggests 3D technology may improve precision during operations. Here's how the procedures work:

Obesity

According to the World Health Organization (Obesity and Overweight, 2024), the global obesity rate has doubled since 1990, with 1 in 8 people being obese in 2022. While there are various ways to lose weight, including diet and exercise, some individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who are seeking alternatives to more invasive bariatric surgery may opt for endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) for long-term weight loss success.

ESG involves closing off a portion of the stomach with stitches, folding it accordion-style to reduce its size and volume by about 70%. This procedure, sometimes called an accordion procedure, is performed using an endoscopic suturing device. To possibly improve success rates, 3D technology is mentioned as a potential aid during ESG procedures. Here's an overview of how it works:

Gallstones & Cholecystitis

The liver produces bile fluid to aid digestion by breaking down fats into fatty acids. This bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestines when needed. However, when bile deposits harden, they form gallstones, which can cause blockages leading to cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder.

For pain caused by cholecystitis, doctors may perform a minimally invasive procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Using a flexible endoscope inserted into the bile or pancreas duct (usually smaller than 7mm), doctors remove stones causing inflammation. This delicate procedure navigates narrow and bending channels, with 3D visualization potentially aiding physicians in navigating tortuous or narrow ducts with depth perception. This can reduce the risk of complications such as perforation or duct injury. Here’s how the procedure works: