Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Gastroenterology and Hepatology doctocs at HFH specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the digestive tract which include the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, small intestine the colon, and the rectum.

HFH uses state of the art endoscopic equipment and the newest minimally invasive techniques to investigate, diagnose and treat problems of the digestive tract. 

Common diseases and conditions treated at our hospital include irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ulcers of the stomach and the duodenum, reflux disease, pancreatitis, diseases of the liver such as hepatitis, gallstones, diseases of the bile ducts and cancers of the digestive tract. 

In addition to treating most digestive disorders we also offer modern and highly effective obesity surgeries in conjunction with our experts in visceral and digestive surgery.  Such techniques include gastric ring, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. We focus on your comfort while providing the best quality treatment and support from dieticians, physiotherapy and psychological counseling to ensure excellent results. 

Procedures

At HFH we follow the most vigorous criteria of disinfection and infection control to ensure patient safety and to minimize any risk of infection. All the equipment and instruments are treated and processed according to the most stringent European protocols.

The doctors in charge will take care of the patient at every stage of the process: consultation, diagnosis, endoscopy, hospitalization and follow-up.

Endoscopy

Gastroenterologists often use a medical procedure called endoscopy to diagnose or treat various diseases such as inflammation, polyps or even cancers. Endoscopy allows your doctors to see inside your digestive tract, examine it carefully, and take tissue samples for further investigation, if necessary. Endoscopy is generally performed in the Operating Theater under general anesthesia to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Most of these procedures will be done in day care and you can be discharged home after a couple of hours of observation.

Conventional procedures

• Gastroscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Rectoscopy / Anuscopy

Interventional Endoscopy 

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) and other endoscopic techniques are modern modalities, which are minimally invasive, allow for a faster recovery and come at a lower cost than open surgery. Most commonly ERCP is used for the widening and stent insertion of narrowed or blocked bile ducts, and removal of gall stones. 
Endoscopy is commonly used for the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases, polyps and cancers of the digestive tract and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, part of your small intestine. With this minimally invasive technique it is also possible to obtain tissue samples, for example from polyps for further investigations and to evaluate whether your ulcer is caused by a common bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, which can be easily treated. Another common condition that can be easily treated is GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. This is a condition where the valve between the esophagus and stomach does not shut properly resulting in stomach acid flowing back from the stomach to the esophagus causing irritation and damage to the lining. 

Obesity management

Obesity is not only an esthetic problem but is a disease which increases blood lipids and blood sugar levels, the risk for cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, blindness), abortion, diabetes, gout and cancer.

It is important to lose weight in order to decrease such risks and before they cause severe complications. 

Obesity management requires a multidisciplinary care team comprised of specialists in the field of nutrition, psychology, endocrinology and surgery.

Surgical procedures such as gastric ring, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass, can help you achieve your goal, and are the current gold standard for your treatment. But they will not work in isolation and you will still require the support of a dietician and a psychologist to achieve the best outcome.

At HFH we offer you state of the art obesity treatment with our highly trained multidisciplinary care team comprised of Gastroenterologists, Visceral Surgeons and support services.  

Pancreatic disease and diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts

Inflammation of the pancreas and gallbladder are very painful conditions that can be caused by various factors such as gallstones, elevated blood lipids, infections and others. Our team of specialists at HFH is highly trained to recognize and treat any related conditions ranging from a simple inflammation and gallstones to complex cancers.

Liver conditions and Hepatitis

Liver Biopsy

Liver biopsy is used for several liver diseases to correct diagnosis and to determine the correct treatment. An advanced (specialized gun) is utilized to obtain the liver sample for biopsy. All results are analyzed and evaluated in accordance with international standards using the most recent available information. Treatment and follow-up for all such cases adhere to the same strict standards

Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer 

• Hepatitis B – is a contagious liver disease which if unchecked can cause cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer.
• Hepatitis C – is a virus which can go undetected for some time without proper medical consultation and blood testing. Both conditions are very common in Vietnam.

At HFH we can provide the latest diagnostic tools and medical treatment to detect and medically treat Hepatitis B and C and provide follow-up and long-term management of our patients to prevent the development of severe liver problems.