Gastroenterology Department (including Endoscopy Center)

Department name: Department of Gastroenterology (including Endoscopy Center)

Department development history: The Department of Gastroenterology of China-Japan Friendship Hospital (China-Japan Hospital for short) was founded in 1984, when the hospital was established, by Professor Dai Xizhen, former Executive Committee Member of the Gastroenterology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. It is one of the few digestive disease diagnosis and treatment centers in China that, from the beginning of its establishment, unified the management of wards, outpatient services, and the endoscopy center, and is also one of the earliest domestic institutions to conduct endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary diseases (ERCP). During the more than 30 years since its establishment, under the leadership of successive directors Dai Xizhen, Wu Tieyong, Dong Enyu, Zhao Hongchuan, Du Shiyu and others, the department has continued to grow and develop, reaching an advanced domestic level in medical care, scientific research, and teaching. In 2021, it was approved as a National Clinical Key Specialty for Digestive Diseases. It is a doctoral and master's degree training site of Peking Union Medical College, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and Capital Medical University. The annual outpatient volume is 170,000 visits, annual discharges exceed 3,600 patients, and the annual volume of digestive endoscopy exceeds 50,000 procedures.

Department personnel: Department Director Du Shiyu; Deputy Directors Fang Long and Zhang Yanli; Head Nurse Pang Yang. There are 7 chief physicians, 13 deputy chief physicians, 8 attending physicians, 8 resident physicians, and 2 technicians; 24 staff members hold doctoral degrees. Academic leader Professor Du Shiyu also serves as an Executive Committee Member of the Gastroenterology Physicians Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association and Deputy Chair of the Digestive Endoscopy Branch of the Cross-Strait Medical and Health Exchange Association, among other positions.

Outpatient, ward, and facility layout: The department has 56 inpatient beds. The Digestive Endoscopy Center has 18 diagnostic and therapeutic procedure rooms, including 1 interventional treatment operating room and 4 endoscopy operating rooms; 2 gastrointestinal motility rooms; 2 capsule endoscopy examination rooms, including magnetic-controlled capsule gastroscopy; and 1 breath-test room.

Diagnostic and treatment equipment: The department has the latest Olympus 290 endoscopy system; electronic gastroscopes, colonoscopes, duodenoscopes, endoscopic ultrasound systems, magnifying endoscopes, ultra-slim transnasal gastroscopes, and single-balloon enteroscopes; capsule endoscopy and magnetic-controlled capsule gastroscopy; the Philips EasyDiagnost Eleva X-ray system; and the Haibo Knife. The gastrointestinal motility laboratory has domestically leading solid-state high-resolution esophageal manometry, 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring, 24-hour pharyngeal-laryngeal pH monitoring, wireless esophageal pH monitoring (Bravo system), electrogastrography, autonomic nervous function testing, an electronic barostat, solid-state high-resolution anorectal manometry and 3D manometry systems, and a hydrogen breath-test system, as well as equipment for percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and biofeedback therapy.

Departmental diagnostic and treatment specialties:

1. Pancreaticobiliary diseases: The Department of Gastroenterology is one of the earliest domestic institutions to conduct minimally invasive endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary diseases (ERCP). It currently has an Olympus endoscopy system and a Philips EasyDiagnost Eleva X-ray system, and can perform endoscopic minimally invasive procedures including stone extraction from the bile and pancreatic ducts, laser and electrohydraulic lithotripsy, biliary and pancreatic duct stent placement, nasobiliary and nasopancreatic drainage-tube placement, peroral cholangioscopy and pancreatoscopy, and biliary and pancreatic duct brush cytology and tissue biopsy. In cooperation with General Surgery and the Interventional Ultrasound Center, it established a Minimally Invasive Treatment Center for Cholelithiasis, using a multidisciplinary team (MDT) model to optimize the diagnosis and treatment of cholelithiasis. It has extensive experience and standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols for acute severe pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and rare pancreatic diseases such as autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN). 2. Inflammatory bowel disease and small-intestinal diseases: The department provides immunosuppressant therapy, biologic therapy, and enteral and parenteral nutritional support for patients with severe inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Together with General Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, and other relevant departments, it has formed an inflammatory bowel disease multidisciplinary (MDT) collaboration. Diagnosis and treatment of severe and complicated cases have become increasingly standardized, saving many patients from critical conditions. The department has also accumulated extensive experience in diagnosing and treating small-intestinal diseases and carries out advanced examination and treatment methods including single-balloon enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy. 3. Digestive tract motility testing and individualized precision diagnosis and treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders: The gastrointestinal motility laboratory is equipped with internationally advanced gastrointestinal motility examination and treatment equipment. It can perform high-resolution esophageal and anorectal manometry; multiple types of gastroesophageal reflux monitoring, including 24-hour esophageal pH-impedance monitoring, 24-hour pharyngeal-laryngeal pH monitoring, and wireless esophageal capsule pH monitoring; gastric emptying, colonic transit time, hydrogen breath testing, electrogastrography, and autonomic nervous function testing. It also provides multiple treatment technologies, such as noninvasive portable percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for various functional gastrointestinal disorders, which effectively relieves symptoms, and biofeedback therapy for various types of chronic constipation, especially functional defecation disorders, with confirmed efficacy. Relying on complete examination and treatment equipment, the department’s model for functional gastrointestinal disorders is patient-centered. Through comprehensive assessment with gastrointestinal motility and functional examinations, it provides individualized precision treatment combining drug and nondrug therapies according to patients’ pathophysiological mechanisms, markedly improving treatment effectiveness and patient satisfaction. Multiple specialty clinics for functional gastrointestinal disorders are currently offered, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, defecation disorders, and digestive psychosomatic disorders. The department has accumulated extensive experience with various refractory functional gastrointestinal disorders and established distinctive diagnostic and treatment procedures and standards. 4. Screening and minimally invasive treatment of early digestive tract cancer: The department was among the earliest in China to conduct screening and treatment of early digestive tract cancer. Through preliminary and detailed examinations, combined with advanced methods such as magnifying endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and magnetic-controlled capsule endoscopy, it can detect early digestive tract cancer and perform endoscopic minimally invasive resection (EMR/ESD), achieving radical treatment while preserving organ integrity. A painless detailed-examination clinic for early digestive tract cancer has been established to improve the detection rate of early cancer. 5. Diagnosis and treatment of advanced tumors: The department has optimized the processes for outpatient visits, endoscopic examinations, and emergency consultation, enabling timely detection of advanced tumors of the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, small intestine, colon, rectum, and other sites, followed by early admission and comprehensive laboratory, imaging, and pathological assessment. In cooperation with Radiology, Ultrasound, Pathology, General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and other departments, it develops treatment plans for advanced tumors. It makes use of the advantages of digestive endoscopy and performs related minimally invasive procedures, including digestive tract stricture dilation, digestive tract stent placement, digestive tract obstruction catheter placement, digestive tract nutrition-tube placement (jejunal feeding tube/three-lumen feeding tube), and OTSC treatment of digestive tract bleeding and digestive tract fistulas/leaks, to ensure treatment outcomes. 6. Treatment and rehabilitation of critical digestive diseases: Through multidisciplinary cooperation, the department provides timely and accurate diagnosis and active, effective treatment of critical digestive diseases including acute severe pancreatitis, massive gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, severe liver disease, and severe ulcerative colitis. In particular, for acute severe pancreatitis, it cooperates with Critical Care Medicine, Interventional Ultrasound, General Surgery, and other specialties to implement an integrated treatment system throughout the disease course. This not only effectively reduces mortality but also decreases later complications, promoting recovery from complications such as pancreatic pseudocysts and intra-abdominal infection, as well as long-term pancreatic functional rehabilitation, through individualized medical treatment and minimally invasive interventional techniques. For gastrointestinal bleeding, the department has established a green channel for endoscopic treatment and can perform emergency bedside hemostasis 24 hours a day. 7. Minimally invasive interventional digestive endoscopy: The Department of Gastroenterology is the “surgical department” within internal medicine. Minimally invasive interventional treatment of digestive diseases can be achieved through digestive endoscopy and X-rays. Current related technologies include: (1) variceal ligation, sclerotherapy injection, and tissue-glue injection for esophageal and gastric fundal varices; (2) digestive tract stricture dilation and stent placement; (3) transoral and transanal placement of decompression catheters for intestinal obstruction; (4) resection of digestive tract polyps and early cancers (EMR, ESD, ESE, EFTR); (5) digestive tract nutrition-tube placement (jejunal feeding tube, three-lumen feeding tube, gastrostomy); (6) endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided puncture; (7) hemostasis for nonvariceal digestive tract bleeding (OTSC, titanium clips, argon gas); (8) closure of digestive tract fistulas (OTSC, purse-string suturing with nylon loops); (9) endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT); (10) dilation, botulinum toxin injection, and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for achalasia; (11) removal of digestive tract foreign bodies; (12) lithotripsy for bezoars; and (13) digestive endoscopic tunnel techniques (ESTD, POEM, G-POEM, STER, STESD).

Current specialty clinics: Pancreaticobiliary Diseases Specialty Clinic: Thursday morning; Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Specialty Clinic: Wednesday morning; IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Specialty Clinic: Tuesday morning; Ulcerative Colitis Specialty Clinic: Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning; Constipation Specialty Clinic: Wednesday morning; Defecation Disorders Specialty Clinic: Thursday morning; Atrophic Gastritis Specialty Clinic: Monday morning; Fatty Liver Disease Specialty Clinic: Friday morning.

Scientific research achievements: The Department of Gastroenterology has undertaken more than 20 national and provincial/ministerial-level projects, including projects under the 12th Five-Year implementation plan of the national major science and technology special project “Major New Drug Development,” common-disease projects under the national 12th and 11th Five-Year Science and Technology Support Programs, National Natural Science Foundation projects, special scientific research projects for public health industries, Beijing Natural Science Foundation projects, and Capital Medical Development Foundation projects. It has won 9 provincial/ministerial-level science and technology progress awards and successfully developed 4 Chinese patent medicines for treating liver disease. It has high-level professional personnel in digestive pathology, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment, and molecular pathological epidemiology of tumors, and has established stable cooperative relationships with relevant departments and research institutes of multiple overseas medical schools, conducting regular academic exchanges and personnel training.

Teaching: The Department of Gastroenterology is currently a doctoral and master’s training unit of Peking Union Medical College, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, and Capital Medical University, as well as a standardized residency training base in Beijing. For many years, it has undertaken theoretical teaching, clinical observation, and internship teaching for undergraduates and graduate students of Peking University Health Science Center and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. It has trained more than 40 master’s and doctoral students and accepts visiting physicians and nurses from all over the country every year. It has received the title of “Outstanding Teaching Base” of the hospital many times.

Honors received by the department:

Other important matters: Every year, the department undertakes several central healthcare assignments; completes paired assistance and mobile medical services for Shaanxi Province, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region, and other areas; and completes regular free medical consultations and assistance in suburban counties. It conducts telemedicine and assists primary-level and remote hospitals in treating critically ill and difficult patients.

Location in the hospital: The Gastroenterology outpatient clinic is on the third floor of Building D; the Endoscopy Center is on the second floor of Building B; and the inpatient ward is on the east side of the 10th floor of Building A.

Department telephone numbers: Outpatient clinic: 010-84205251; ward: 010-84205108; nurse station: 010-84205025; Endoscopy Center: 84205503.