At Penn Medicine, we provide expert diagnosis and treatment for the full spectrum of concerns affecting the digestive tract. Our team of nationally recognized GI surgeons excels at complicated surgeries, such as liver, pancreas and hernia surgeries. With uncommon expertise and advanced techniques like robotic surgery, we deliver the best possible results so you can enjoy life on your terms.
Gastrointestinal Surgical Procedures We Offer
We take full advantage of Penn's vast network of specialists for your benefit. Few other institutions in the greater Philadelphia region match our team's depth of expertise and breadth of GI surgery offerings. We collaborate with other surgeons, gastroenterologists or GI cancer specialists (among other specialists) to deliver an elite level of personalized care and the best possible outcome.
Our GI surgical specialties include:
Upper GI Surgery Types
Our upper GI surgeons are experienced in treating routine and rare concerns of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Less-invasive techniques (such as tiny incisions and high-tech surgical robots) promote healing and help you get back on your feet quickly.
We offer:
- Bariatric surgery: We offer several leading weight-loss surgery options. Our bariatric surgeons perform the most minimally invasive bariatric surgeries in the Philadelphia region.
- Esophagus surgery: We perform a very high volume of esophagectomies (esophagus removal surgery), with excellent results. We treat a wide range of esophageal and swallowing disorders, often with less-invasive techniques that shorten your recovery.
- Foregut surgery: We have a wide variety of options to treat stomach and small intestine ailments. Penn is one of few centers along the East Coast to offer an advanced type of gastroparesis surgery, called gastric stimulation.
- Hernia surgery: Our board-certified hernia surgeons have decades of experience treating both common and complicated hernias of all types. Our collaborative team often performs hernia repair surgery using minimally invasive or robotic techniques, offering multiple recovery benefits.
- GERD surgeries: We perform multiple minimally invasive procedures to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These options, such as Nissen fundoplication, are considered a safe, long-term cure for chronic heartburn and acid reflux.
- Surgical nutrition: We deliver nutrition in liquid form directly to the intestine (via a feeding tube) or to the bloodstream (via an IV, called parenteral nutrition). We use the latest advances to perform all types of surgical nutrition procedures with precision and compassion.
Colon and Rectal Surgery
Our fellowship-trained colorectal surgeons expertly treat routine and rare problems of the large intestine (colon, rectum and anus). Advanced laparoscopic techniques enable us to protect healthy tissues and preserve more of your body's natural functions and your quality of life.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery
We offer elite surgical expertise for all types of cancers affecting the digestive tract. Our GI cancer surgery team includes acclaimed surgeons who specialize in treating certain types of GI cancers, such as esophageal cancer. We perform a high volume of intricate procedures to remove hard-to-treat tumors when other centers can't.
Liver, Pancreas and Bile Duct (GI HPB) Surgery
Penn's hepatobiliary surgeons perform complicated liver, pancreas and bile duct surgeries at volumes that rival most institutions in the Philadelphia region. We regularly remove hard-to-treat tumors and handle difficult cases that are referred from other centers.
We offer elite expertise and specialized options in:
- Gallbladder surgery: We treat gallbladder cancer as well as complex problems, such as bile duct injuries and severe gallbladder disease.
- Liver and bile duct surgery: We treat all types of liver and bile duct tumors, including primary and metastatic liver cancer.
- Pancreas surgery: We treat benign problems like pancreatitis as well as precancerous pancreatic cysts and pancreatic cancer. Our team features leading experts in technical procedures, such as the Whipple surgery (pancreaticoduodenectomy).
Minimally Invasive GI Surgeries
Penn's GI surgeons have decades of practice performing surgeries using less-invasive techniques, which include:
- Laparoscopic GI surgery: A surgeon guides sophisticated tools (with a magnified camera at the tip) through tiny incisions and views a magnified picture of the affected area on a computer screen.
- Gastrointestinal robotic surgery: During robotic surgery, a surgeon sits near the operating table and views a magnified, real-time video of the surgery site on a computer. The surgeon directs high-tech robotic arms to make highly precise movements.
Minimally invasive techniques offer multiple advantages, including the potential of fewer complications and a quicker recovery.
Minimally invasive surgery isn't right for every situation. We consider several factors (such as your overall health and the details of your problem) before planning the best approach to your procedure. We appropriately choose the least invasive surgery approach that fits your unique needs.
Request an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.