UCT experts make medical breakthrough for SA
South Africa’s first successful bowel enteroscopy (endoscopy of the small bowel) has been performed at Groote Schuur Hospital.
CAPE TOWN, June 4 (ANA) – South Africa’s first successful bowel enteroscopy (endoscopy of the small bowel) was performed at Groote Schuur Hospital.
The procedure was performed by a team of academics from the University of Cape Town (UCT).
This cutting-edge procedure is set to transform the way clinicians access and examine the previously inaccessible small bowel – using a minimally invasive technique.
In a statement released by the university on Friday, it said the procedure was led by senior consultant Dr Dion Levin in partnership with Professor Mashiko Setshedi, the head of the Division of Medical Gastroenterology.
The procedure was carried out in late May 2021, using the novel PowerSpiral device, and demonstrates a significant advancement in the field of gastroenterology (the branch of medicine that focuses on the digestive system).
Professor Setshedi said they were extremely proud of the achievement and the exciting advances occurring rapidly in the field of gastroenterology, with UCT being at the forefront of it all and leading the way for South Africa and the continent.
The small bowel, commonly referred to as the small intestine, is an organ located in the gastrointestinal tract.
It is roughly five to seven metres in length and absorbs the nutrients and minerals from food.
Accessing and examining the small bowel using the standard-length endoscope has always been tricky.
“Examining the small bowel is often necessary. Typically, patients with iron deficiency anaemia or gastrointestinal blood loss, but normal upper and lower endoscopies, require a small-bowel examination.
“Over the years, new techniques to access the organ and to address this issue have been developed. One method is video capsule endoscopy (VCE) – an oral camera the size of a large pill is swallowed, and accurately photographs the small bowel as it transits the gut. This procedure provides doctors with a real-time view of the small bowel and helps them diagnose deep lesions,” Setshedi explained.
Now, the PowerSpiral is making the previously complex and time-consuming procedure much easier.
Setshedi said the device boasts a winged overtube which allows clinicians to intubate the small bowel by easily pleating the mucosa (the innermost layer of the gastrointestinal tract responsible for the secretion of digestive juices and absorption of nutrients) over the tube.
The device includes a motor encase in the handle that mechanically rotates the tubes and allows clinicians to advance and withdraw the scope using integrated power foot pedals.
Setshedi said the procedure allows for more control of the scope and provides a quicker assessment time.
“Thanks to this new technology clinicians were able to perform the country’s first successful spiral enteroscopy in late May 2021.
“Prior to the procedure the patient required many blood transfusions, due to months of gastrointestinal bleeding from an unknown cause.
“We found vascular lesions with a propensity to bleed, which we were able to treat with argon plasma coagulation.
“Over time this should reduce the patient’s need for blood transfusions and improve his quality of life,” Setshedi said.
She said the hospital’s gastrointestinal unit received the PowerSpiral on loan from manufacturers, Olympus Endoscopy, for the next three months and they plan on making the most of it.
“I would like to thank all the doctors and nurses in the Gastroenterology Clinic who were involved, and I gratefully acknowledge the Anaesthetic Department for their services, as well Surgical Innovations.
“Finally, I must acknowledge Professor Eduard Jonas, head of the Hepatobiliary Unit. We work very well collaboratively to acquire state-of-the-art equipment for our unit, and we will continue to do so,” Setshedi added.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher