Endoscopy and Colonoscopy
N.C. Children’s Hospital has dedicated space for diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. This unit is located on the second floor of the Children’s Hospital.
Our team consists of experienced board certified pediatric gastroenterologists who are trained to perform endoscopic procedures on neonates, infants, young children and adolescents. A team of pediatric anesthesiologists manages all procedural sedations.
Endoscopy procedures allow doctors to see and treat your child’s digestive tract without surgery. We perform the following procedures:
- Upper endoscopy (EGD) – looks at the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum).
- Colonoscopy – looks inside the entire large intestine (colon).
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy – looks inside the lower end of the large intestine.
- Foreign body retrieval – removes a potentially dangerous item from a child’s GI tract reachable by an endoscope or colonoscope.
- Esophageal dilation – stretches a narrowed area of the esophagus.
- Sclerosis of esophageal varices – controls bleeding by injecting medicine into a large vein in the esophagus.
- Banding of esophageal varices – controls bleeding by placing a tiny ring on a large vein in the esophagus.
- Endoscopic Balloon dilation and electroincision with stricturotomy – endoscopic dilation of strictures in GI tract.
- Push enteroscopy and single balloon enteroscopy: endoscopy that examines the small intestine.
- Polypectomy – removal of polyps.
- Endoscopic botox injection.
- Endoscopic hemostasis – endoscopic procedures to control GI bleeding.
- Pancreatic stimulation test – endoscopic procedure used to diagnose pancreatic insufficiency.
We understand that the day of the procedure can be stressful for you and your child. To help you and your child to relax before the procedure, Child Life specialists are available on site.
Please feel free to ask us questions before your scheduled procedure or the day of the procedure.
