Advanced Endoscopy at Houston Methodist

Gastroenterologists at Houston Methodist Lynda K. and David M. Underwood Center for Digestive Health offer one of the region’s broadest and most advanced selection of endoscopic procedures. Our nationally recognized advanced endoscopy program uses cutting edge, minimally invasive techniques for complex gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and weight loss management. The program stands out for its breadth of services, organ-preserving strategies and multidisciplinary team of experts. We use advanced endoscopy to diagnose and treat digestive diseases and obesity — often eliminating the need for surgery. This allows our team to perform highly precise procedures that support shorter hospital stays, quicker recovery times and improved patient outcomes.

What Is Advanced Endoscopy?

Advanced endoscopy examines and treats conditions of the GI tract — including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas and bile ducts — using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera, called an endoscope. While general endoscopy is used primarily for diagnosis, advanced endoscopy provides the capability to treat certain conditions immediately.

 

With advanced endoscopy, an endoscope is outfitted with specialized tools that allow doctors to take biopsies, remove growths, place stents, drain fluids and treat blockages. Some procedures even extend beyond the GI tract to address conditions affecting nearby organs, such as lymph nodes or the pancreas. 

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Who Should Get an Advanced Endoscopy?

Advanced endoscopy may be recommended for patients with digestive conditions ranging from reflux and swallowing disorders to pancreatic disease, early cancers and complications from prior surgeries. Symptoms for these conditions may include unexplained abdominal pain, jaundice, difficulty swallowing or persistent digestive discomfort.

 

You may be referred for advanced endoscopy if you:

 

  • Have complications from previous GI or bariatric procedures
  • Need access to specialized procedures such as POEM, G-POEM or EUS-guided interventions
  • Need precise diagnosis or treatment of pancreaticobiliary diseases
  • Seek minimally invasive options for conditions that previously required surgery
  • Want organ-preserving cancer care for early-stage GI cancers

Benefits of Advanced Endoscopy

Advanced endoscopy offers significant advantages over traditional surgical approaches. These procedures are performed through natural openings (mouth or rectum) using a flexible scope, making advanced endoscopy an efficient and highly effective option for many patients.

 

Benefits include:

 

  • Organ preservation – Techniques such as ESD and EMR allow removal of early cancers and precancerous lesions without removing part of the organ, helping maintain long-term function.
  • Minimally invasive treatment – Less pain, no large incisions and shorter hospital stays lead to a quicker return to normal activities compared to conventional open surgery.
  • Reduced risk and improved recovery – Advanced endoscopic approaches lower the risks of complications and promote faster healing.

Ranked #7 in the Nation for GI Care

Houston Methodist Hospital is ranked Best in Texas and No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for Gastroenterology & GI surgery. U.S. News & World Report has also named Houston Methodist Hospital one of the nation’s best as a nationally ranked Honor Roll hospital. 

 

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Why Choose Houston Methodist for Advanced Endoscopy

Houston Methodist is recognized nationally for leadership in advanced endoscopy — combining clinical expertise with world-class research, education and innovation. Our gastroenterologists are among the most experienced in Texas, performing high-volume, complex procedures with consistently strong outcomes. Patients also benefit from seamless collaboration across our digestive health specialists, including gastroenterologists, hepatologists, oncologists, radiologists and surgeons, ensuring coordinated, comprehensive care.
National Leadership, Close to Home

Highly specialized initiatives, distinguished breadth of services

Houston Methodist is among a small number of centers nationwide offering the full spectrum of advanced endoscopy procedures at an expert level, including third-space endoscopies like POEM, ESD and G-POEM, which focus on deeper layers of the GI tract.

 

Houston Methodist Hospital is also ranked Best in Texas and No. 7 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for Gastroenterology & GI surgery. U.S. News & World Report has also named Houston Methodist Hospital one of the nation’s best as a nationally ranked Honor Roll Hospital.

 

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Patient-Centered Research, Innovation & Education

When our specialists advance, our patients benefit

The Underwood Center emphasizes medical care, research, innovation and education, the combination of which advances the future of health care. Our experts contribute to clinical research and national conferences, including studies on the use of EndoFLIP for gastroparesis and investigations into improving endoscopy quality and outcomes.

 

We also train GI fellows and practicing gastroenterologists in interventional techniques not commonly available elsewhere in Texas — reinforcing our role as a leader in advanced endoscopy education.

 

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Advanced Endoscopy Procedures We Offer

Houston Methodist is home to one of the most comprehensive advanced endoscopy programs in the region. Using state-of-the-art equipment and highly specialized tools, our multidisciplinary team collaborates to diagnose and treat complex GI diseases with exceptional precision — and minimal disruption to surrounding tissue.

 

Advanced endoscopic procedures we provide include:

 

  • Advanced Endoscopic Surgery
    • Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) – Treats achalasia and other swallowing disorders. Houston Methodist is one of the few institutions in Texas with doctors specially trained to perform the POEM procedure.
    • Gastric Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (G-POEM) – Provides long-term relief of gastroparesis symptoms by relaxing the opening (pylorus) between the stomach and the duodenum, improving stomach emptying and avoiding open surgery
  • Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) – Removes precancerous lesions and early-stage cancers of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum and colon
  • Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG) – Provides an ultra-minimally invasive weight loss alternative to traditional bariatric surgery by using endoscopically placed sutures to reduce the stomach size
  • Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Interventions – Drain gallbladders, bile ducts and pancreatic fluids, conduct targeted liver biopsies, and place coils in bleeding blood vessels (gastric varices) using endoscopic ultrasound guidance
  • Pancreaticobiliary Endoscopy – Specialized procedures for bile duct and pancreatic disorders include:
    • Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) – Combines endoscopy and X-ray imaging with contrast dye to diagnose and treat blockages, remove gallstones, place stents or relieve obstructions such as tumors or scar tissue
    • Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) – Provides highly detailed images of the GI tract and surrounding organs to diagnose tumors, evaluate for pancreatitis, detect nodules and obtain biopsies under direct visualization

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