Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology (590810)

About the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at Municipal Hospital Karlsruhe

The Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology at the Municipal Hospital Karlsruhe provides the full range of medical services in the fields of its competence. The medical facility carries out modern diagnostics and effective treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, as well as all forms of diabetes mellitus, including its complications. Particular attention in the treatment of complications of diabetes mellitus is paid to the treatment of diabetic foot syndrome – the department has been certified as the Diabetic Foot Center. As one of the largest specialized medical facilities for the treatment of gastroenterological diseases in Baden-Wuerttemberg, the department guarantees optimal treatment of not only common, but also extremely rare pathologies of this spectrum. The specialists in gastroenterology also have rich experience in the treatment of patients with cancer of the digestive system. A decisive role in the department's successful clinical practice is played by close cooperation with the experts from other specialized disciplines. The department is headed by Prof. Dr. med. Liebwin Gossner.

A team of gastroenterologists deals with the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the stomach, esophagus, small and large intestines. Upon admission to the department, a patient undergoes comprehensive diagnostics, taking into account the results of his clinical examination, complaints and medical history. The department has well-equipped diagnostic rooms with state-of-the-art ultrasound systems, rooms for functional diagnostics of the gastrointestinal tract (hydrogen breath tests, pH-metry and manometry), as well as rooms for performing invasive endoscopic examinations (gastroscopy, colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, enteroscopy, etc.). It is worth noting that the department is part of a certified interdisciplinary Bowel Center – certification of the German Cancer Society. Thus, the department provides optimal and structured treatment of intestinal pathologies. Particular attention is paid to the diagnostics, prevention and treatment of bowel cancer.

As for the department's therapeutic options in the field of gastroenterology, the specialists mostly manage to eliminate pathologies of the digestive system using only medications. However, some clinical cases require more radical measures, so endoscopic interventions may be prescribed to the patients. The department's specialists perform endoscopic procedures to remove polyps in the stomach and bowel, small tumors of the stomach and intestine in their early stages, hemostasis procedures to stop gastrointestinal bleeding, and endoscopic interventions to place stents for stenosis dilatation.

The specialists in hetalogy are responsible for the diagnostics and treatment of liver, gallbladder and bile duct diseases. The most common diagnoses in this field include viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug- and alcohol-induced liver lesions, inflammatory processes in the gallbladder, biliary obstruction and stenosis. To treat the above mentioned pathologies, both drug therapy and endoscopic procedures can be used. The treatment regimen is developed on an individual basis and drug therapy is preferred, if possible.

An integral part of the work of the department's doctors is endocrinology. In this field, key attention is paid to the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Each clinical case is considered on an individual basis, after which the therapy is adapted to the needs of a particular patient. The medical facility is certified as a Training Center for Diabetes Patients (German Diabetes Society). The scope of the department's tasks also includes the treatment of complications of diabetes mellitus, the most common of which is diabetic foot syndrome. The department's specialists hold comprehensive consultations on nutrition, give recommendations on lifestyle modifications: patients need moderate physical activity, avoiding alcohol and smoking, etc.

The department's clinical focuses include:

• Gastroenterology
  • Diagnostics and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including polyps and tumors at their early stages
  • Diagnostics and treatment of esophageal diseases
  • Diagnostics and treatment of bowel cancer within a specialized center
  • Diagnostics and treatment of pancreatic diseases
• Hepatology
  • Diagnostics and treatment of liver diseases, including drug- and alcohol-induced liver lesions
  • Diagnostics and treatment of gallbladder diseases
  • Diagnostics and treatment of bile duct diseases
• Endocrinology
  • Diagnostics and treatment of all types of diabetes mellitus – focus on type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Diagnostics and treatment of diabetic foot syndrome
• Other medical services

Photo of the doctor: (c) Städtische Klinikum Karlsruhe