Penn Medicine's gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons have an international reputation for performing complicated foregut surgeries with incredible precision. Our upper GI surgeons successfully treat common and rare conditions of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. Less-invasive techniques help you get back on your feet quickly, with a better quality of life.
Esophagus and Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery: Why Choose Penn Medicine?
Our team includes surgeons who focus their practice on treating problems of the upper GI tract, which includes the esophagus and stomach. This level of concentration (along with their extensive experience) improves results. It also helps us better understand and meet your needs.
Other notable features of our program include:
- Leading upper GI surgeons: Our GI surgeons are consistently recognized regionally and nationally for their uncommon skill and exceptional care. As a high-volume center for complex surgeries of the upper GI tract (such as esophagectomy, or esophagus removal surgery), we deliver excellent outcomes with low rates of complications. Meet our team.
- Depth of expertise: We treat the full spectrum of problems affecting the upper GI tract (the esophagus, stomach and small intestine). We use the latest surgical techniques to effectively treat common conditions like heartburn and acid reflux. Our team also offers unique expertise in rare and difficult-to-treat conditions, such as less common swallowing disorders and advanced GI cancers.
- Minimally invasive options: Minimally invasive surgical advances (such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery) often lead to a less painful and faster recovery. Our team has decades of experience performing minimally invasive surgeries for esophagus and upper GI surgeries.
- Close physician partnerships: We work hand-in-hand with Penn's esteemed gastroenterologists to coordinate diagnostic tests such as endoscopy for a precise diagnosis. Our surgeons partner with Penn's Esophageal and Swallowing Disorders Program to streamline care for esophageal disorders.
- Convenient locations: Our GI surgeons perform surgery at three hospitals in downtown Philadelphia. We offer surgical consultations at many locations.
- Responsive care team: Whether questions or concerns come up before or after surgery, we're here to provide answers and support. With our patient portal, it's never been easier to communicate with your care team. Read about what to expect before and after your procedure in our patient guide to GI surgery.
Types of Upper GI & Foregut Surgery We Perform
We offer surgical treatments for many conditions, including:
Gastrectomy
Gastrectomy surgery removes part or all of the stomach. Our surgeons are experts at performing gastrectomy procedures to:
- Treat stomach cancer: We are known for treating cases other centers can't, using less invasive surgical techniques to ease your recovery. Learn more about gastrectomy for stomach cancer.
- Prevent stomach cancer: Our surgeons specialize in preventative gastrectomy (removal of the entire stomach). People at high risk for aggressive stomach cancer (due to the CDH1 genetic mutation) may choose this elective surgery to prevent stomach cancer. Penn offers the only support group in the region to help patients navigate this care journey.
- Treat obesity: Vertical sleeve gastrectomy greatly reduces the stomach's size to encourage weight loss.
Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery
We offer several leading weight-loss surgery options. No other center in Philadelphia performs more minimally invasive bariatric (weight loss) surgeries than we do. We deliver better outcomes, with a shorter hospital stay and smaller scars. Read about Penn's full range of bariatric surgery options.
Esophageal Cancer Surgery
Penn's surgeons have extensive experience performing high volumes of complicated esophageal cancer removal surgeries.
We perform most esophagectomies (removal of part of the esophagus) with minimally invasive techniques. Smaller incisions and increased precision ease your recovery while preserving healthy tissues.
Learn more about esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.
Nissen Fundoplication and GERD Surgeries
Surgery to treat persistent acid reflux and heartburn is sometimes referred to as GERD surgery or acid reflux surgery. We perform multiple minimally invasive procedures that are considered safe and highly effective — a long-term cure — for chronic heartburn and acid reflux:
- Fundoplication surgery (Nissen, Toupet, or Dor) wraps part of the stomach around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to recreate an valve that stops stomach contents from backing up into the esophagus.
- LINX® Reflux Management System places a magnetic beaded device around the bottom of the lower esophageal sphincter to stop stomach acid backflow. This device enlarges as you swallow, allowing you to eat normally, but then contracts to prevent reflux.
- Hiatal hernia surgery uses techniques similar to fundoplication surgery, but repairs a hiatal hernia by reducing an opening in the diaphragm muscle. A large hiatal hernia may lead to the back flow of stomach acid and GERD symptoms.
- Revision surgeries: Some people need revisional surgery if a hiatal hernia recurs or symptoms come back many years later. Other centers refer complicated revisional surgery cases to us because of our outstanding outcomes.
Other Esophagus, Small Bowel and Stomach Surgeries
Our surgeons have the expertise to perform a wide range of esophagus and upper GI surgeries, including specialized options only select centers offer:
- Achalasia surgery: In achalasia, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to relax, leading to difficulty swallowing. Using minimally invasive techniques, surgeons cut the muscle (heller myotomy) and improve your ability to eat. Newer techniques such as PerOral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) can be done completely without incisions.
- GIST surgery: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare cancers that usually develop in the stomach or small intestine. Our team includes prominent global expert Ronald P. DeMatteo, MD, FACS, who has experience removing these tumors, sometimes when other centers can't. Read more about GIST surgery.
- Gastric electrical stimulation surgery: This surgery implants a small battery-powered device (similar to a heart pacemaker) under the skin in the lower abdomen. The device releases impulses that reduce nausea and other symptoms for some people with gastroparesis. Penn is one of few centers in the Northeast to offer this gastroparesis surgery.
- Small bowel surgery: This surgery removes part of the small bowel (small intestine). Small intestine cancer surgery removes tissue affected by cancer. Small bowel surgery may also be needed to resolve a blockage in the intestines.
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