AI boosts Gastrointestinal Endoscopy with Japanese Hospital

Samitivej updates its AI technology offerings by delving deep into the innovations of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, enhancing medical professional standards in collaboration with Sano Hospital to improve overall treatment efficiency.

Beginning in 2014, Samitivej has partnered with Sano Hospital, Japan’s leading private hospital specializing in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy for advanced diagnosis and therapeutics via endoscopy, to improve the efficacy of diagnosis, treatment and care for patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Over the years, Samitivej has sent GI specialists to Japan to study and learn additional endoscopy techniques at Sano Hospital, leading to increased trust from both Thai and international patients, especially the Japanese community residing in Thailand.

This year, the Liver and Digestive Institute is organizing the Pancreatic Insight 2023 Academic Conference and has extended invitations to Prof. Yasushi Sano, M.D., PhD, FJGES, Director of Sano Hospital and Director of the Gastrointestinal Center in Japan, and a team of leading GI specialists from Thailand, including Assoc. Prof. Varayu Prachayakul, M.D., Prof. Supot Pongprasobchai, M.D., and Asst. Prof. Patarapong Kamalaporn, M.D.

The conference aims to further develop Thai medicine, enhance diagnostic and treatment efficiency, and prevent diseases before they occur, highlighting our vision as an “Agile Organization of Value” and the philosophy of “we don't want anyone to get sick.” The event includes a host of lectures and special workshops as follows:

●    Advanced Imaging and Artificial Intelligence in Endoscopy: Updating information on AI technology in advanced gastrointestinal endoscopy techniques to achieve the benefit of significantly enhancing the precision and accuracy of diagnosis and treatment. Hosted by Prof. Yasushi Sano, M.D.

●    Workshop: Hands-On Gastroenterology Workshop - EUS for Non-advanced Endoscopists. This workshop, led by a team of renowned Thai GI specialists, focuses on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examination of the gastrointestinal system. EUS utilizes an ultrasound-equipped endoscope to provide detailed images of both the upper and lower digestive tract.

It proves highly effective for screening and diagnosing conditions in the pancreas, bile duct, and gallbladder. This is particularly advantageous for the pancreas due to its deep location within the abdominal cavity, making it inaccessible through routine physical examinations.

In cases where initial abnormalities or polyps are detected, tissue samples can be extracted for analysis using the endoscope, eliminating the need for open abdominal surgery. This approach reduces risks, minimizes scarring, ensures a speedy recovery, and allows for efficient treatment. The benefits of endoscopy with an ultrasound attachment are as follows

Dr. Nithiwat Gijsriurai,  Director of Samitivej Hospital

Prof. Yasushi Sano, Director of Sano Hospital

1.    Provides a clearer view of the characteristics of the GI tract, meaning it can be used to diagnose the causes of symptoms such as abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.

2.    Provides an assessment of abnormalities, such as the growth of masses previously detected using endoscopy or X-ray screening, providing clear images of those masses, and enabling the doctor to diagnose whether they are malignant or not.

3.    Useful in diagnosing issues affecting the pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder when other methods have not provided a definitive conclusion.

4.    Helps doctors understand the stage of cancers affecting the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, allowing them to check if the disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other vital organs, to determine the appropriate treatment and approach.

Prof. Yasushi Sano, M.D., Ph.D., FJGES, Director of Sano Hospital and Director of the Gastrointestinal Center in Japan, stated that in Europe and America, colonoscopy is recommended for finding colon cancer.

In the long run, the mortality rate has decreased, which means including a colonoscopy in health check-ups is successful in finding cancer. Bangkok also has colon cancer patients, so it is important to change their minds about colonoscopy and understand it is neither scary nor embarrassing.

The National Cancer Institute revealed that gastrointestinal cancer is a common and highly lethal form of cancer compared to cancers that affect other organs. Some gastrointestinal cancers progress silently with no initial symptoms, such as pancreatic cancer where early symptoms such as abdominal pain are often non-specific.

As a result, when these cancers reach a size that makes surgical removal impossible or has spread extensively, it is often too late for effective treatment. Additionally, the pancreas's deep-seated location within the abdominal cavity makes it challenging to detect through routine physical examinations, leading to a significantly lower survival rate for pancreatic cancer compared to other cancer types.