The Gastroenterology department is a tertiary referral centre in the Sultanate receiving patients from all other hospitals in Oman.
SENIOR FACULTY
Dr. Juma Al Lawati, MD, FRCP(Ireland), Sr. Consultant & Head of Unit
Dr. Salim Omar Salim Al Harthy, MD, MRCP, Sr. Consultant
Dr. Amal Upadhyay, MD, DM(India), Sr. Consultant
Dr. Nadiya Al Harthi, FRCP(Canada), Sr. Consultant
Dr. A. Nihar Mohan, MD(India), Sr. Specialist.
CLINICAL ACTIVITIES
The unit runs 7 outpatient clinics per week, the attendance being about 15 patients per clinic. The waiting period for first visit is about 2 to 3 weeks, while for repeat follow-up visit it is about 6 weeks.
Eleven male and 7 female beds are available to the department. Data regarding the occupancy, duration of stay and turnover are available from the statistical module. A grand round is held every Monday between 8.30 am 10.30 am.
The Endoscopy unit includes 3 suites for diagnostic and therapeutic upper and lower GI procedures. The unit is equipped with a modern video system and has all the necessary endoscopes and accessories, which are updated periodically. The Endoscopy service is extended to both adult and paediatric patients. The waiting period for Endoscopy for outpatients is about 2 to 3 week, while inpatient requests are dealt within 1 to 2 days. Apart from the routine list, which runs on five days a week, emergency Endoscopy facility is available round the clock. Ambulatory endoscopic service is available for emergency procedures within the hospital and to nearby hospitals in the capital area.
The GI motility laboratory has a modern computerized system which has ability to perform motility of the upper GI tract, ano-rectal monometry and 24 hour ambulatory pH measurements. This facility is also extended to both adult and paediatric patients.
The GI motility laboratory has a modern computerized system which has ability to perform motility of the upper GI tract, ano-rectal monometry and 24 hour ambulatory pH measurements. This facility is also extended to both adult and paediatric patients.
The newly acquired ultrasound system is currently used for inpatients and for guided liver biopsies. The mobile video is used for ERCP related procedures performed in the Radiology department. New generation ERCP catheters, guide wires and various other accessories have been acquired. ESWL facilities have been used for breaking up of large and difficult common bile duct biliary stones on a number of occasions. New generation esophageal and biliary self expandable stents and various balloon dilators for benign and malignant GI strictures are available now for use. Other services offered are endoscopic ultrasound, argon plasma coagulation and capsule Endoscopy.
The department has formulated clinical guidelines for 10 common GI problems. The department has also implemented the established guidelines for monitoring during Endoscopy, antibiotic prophylaxis for endoscopic procedures and timing of foreign body removal.
SPECIALIZED SERVICES PROVIDED
- Upper GI endoscopies
- Determination of H. pylori status by CLO test
- Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies
- Dilatation of esophageal stricture (Balloon and bougienage)
- Placement of both plastic and self expanding stents
- Pneumatic dilatation of achalasia
- Sclerotherapy of esophageal varices
- Banding of esophageal varices
- Endoscopic treatment of non-variceal bleeding
- Argon plasma coagulation
- Balloon dilatation of anastomotic strictures
- PEG
- ERCP
- Endoscopic sphincterotomy with mechanical lithotripsy and stone removal
- Biliary stenting
- Naso-biliary drainage
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy
- Balloon dilatation of colonic strictures
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Endoscopic ultrasound
- 24-hour pH monitoring
- Esophageal motility studies
- Ano-rectal Manometry studies.
CME ACTIVITIES
- Journal club and clinical reviews are held on Saturdays between 7.30 – 8.30 am.
- Combined Surgical-Gastroenterology-Radiology meeting on Mondays 7.30 – 8.30 am.
- Gastro-Histopathology meeting very alternate Mondays between 1.30 – 2.30 pm.
- The department also participates in Journal clubs, Radiology meetings, Mortality Audit and case presentations organized by the Department of Medicine.
TEACHING ACTIVITY
This includes regular weekly teaching of 5th year medical students and 7th year medical students of the Sultan Qaboos University. Senior staff members of the department are examiners of Sultan Qaboos University for undergraduate medicine and for the MRCP(UK) examination. The Gastroenterology unit is recognized by the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow for Higher Medical Training of senior registrars.
