HEAD OF DIVISION:   Dr Dion Levin (Acting)

The Division of Gastroenterology was formed in 1959 by Dr. I.N. (Solly) Marks and was the first to establish a Gastrointestinal Clinic (GIC) in South Africa. He developed a GIC that would provide a scientific basis to Gastroenterology in Cape Town and beyond with the emphasis on clinical, para-clinical and basic research. Excellent Medico-surgical liaison remains one of the strengths of the unit.

STAFF

Senior consultant and head of the IBD clinic – A/Prof Gillian Watermeyer

Senior consultant – Dr Dion Levin

Senior consultant – Dr Sabelo Hlatshwayo

Fellows in training

Internal Medicine rotating registrar (3 months)

Medical Officer (3 months)

ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES OFFERED

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

  1. Outpatient diagnostic and interventional gastroscopy, including control of bleeding, oesophageal dilatations and stenting, eradication of oesophageal varices as well as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement. In addition we offer emergency 24 hour service for gastrointestinal bleeding.
  2. Interventional Endoscopic Retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
  3. Oesophageal manometry, pH studies, and impedance tests.

Enteroscopy (examination of the small bowel)

  1. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) - Capsule endoscopy involves swallowing a tiny capsule with a camera inside to get a view of the inside of the digestive tract.
  2. Double balloon endoscopy – a long endoscope with 2 balloons at the end to enable deep intubation of the small bowel which canot be reached with a gastroscope or colonoscope.

Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy

  1. Colonoscopy - we have two dedicated colonoscopy suites with video scopes and a magnetic scope guide for training.
  2. Anal manometry
  3. Anal ultrasound

Other

  1. Endoultrasound (EUS)
  2. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)

CLINICS

Monday – New and follow up patients

Tuesday & Thursday– Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Wednesday – New patients

Friday – Follow up patients

TEACHING

The unit is involved in teaching 3rd, 4th and 6th year medical students. In addition we are accredited for subspeciality training in Gastroenterology, which is currently a 3 year programme. For applications please contact Mrs Karin Fenton (administration).

RESEARCH

The main research interest in the unit is in IBD, however other projects include research in foregut disorders (e.g. H.Pylori), as well as small bowel intestinal disorders such as coeliac disease.

"Leading with Excellence"

Department of Medicine