Medical Gastroenterology

The Department of Gastroenterology at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, has steadily evolved into a center of excellence, offering comprehensive gastrointestinal care. With a focus on clinical precision, patient safety, and comfort, the department blends modern infrastructure with evidence-based practices to address a broad spectrum of digestive diseases.

The department houses advanced endoscopy suites, equipped for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including upper and lower GI endoscopies, ERCP, and EUS-guided interventions. An attached recovery area ensures that patients undergoing procedures are closely monitored in a safe and comfortable environment, minimizing transfers and promoting smoother transitions in care. A dedicated endoscope reprocessing and endowasher room ensures scope disinfection and hygiene.

To address the needs of critically ill patients, the department has its own dedicated intensive care units, equipped with advanced support systems such as bedside plasma exchange and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). These ICUs are designed to manage patients with acute liver failure, severe acute pancreatitis, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding, ensuring comprehensive multidisciplinary care.

Understanding the unpredictable nature of gastrointestinal emergencies, the department provides 24x7 emergency GI endoscopy services. Whether managing upper GI bleeds, foreign body removal, or obstructive biliary pathologies, the emergency services are anchored by a dedicated and highly skilled team, ensuring immediate intervention and improved outcomes.

A standout facility within the department is its FMT laboratory and stool bank for the processing, storage, and preparation of stool samples for fecal microbiota transplantation. FMT plays a key role in the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infections and IBD and is progressively being explored for other microbiota-associated disorders. The lab follows rigorous protocols for donor screening, processing, and quality control, in line with global standards

The department offers an extensive array of diagnostic modalities under one roof. The GI motility lab is equipped with High Resolution Manometry (HRM) to evaluate esophageal and anorectal motility disorders, Video Capsule Endoscopy (VCE) for non-invasive imaging of the entire small bowel and a Fibroscan lab for non-invasive liver stiffness assessment for early detection and staging of liver fibrosis.

Additionally, the laboratory supports advanced stool-based diagnostics including calprotectin, elastase, Helicobacter pylori antigen, and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), aiding in precise and early diagnosis. Breath tests, such as the hydrogen breath test, are available for evaluating carbohydrate malabsorption and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

The department’s expertise in advanced therapeutic endoscopy makes it a referral center for complex GI conditions. Core therapeutic services include:

Variceal and non-variceal GI bleed management

GI perforation closure using endoscopic clips and stents

Placement of metallic stents for malignant and benign luminal obstructions

GI dilatation procedures: SG dilatation, CRE dilatation

Advanced polypectomy 

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary and pancreatic ductal interventions

SpyGlass™-assisted Cholangioscopy and Pancreatoscopy for direct ductal visualization and therapy

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) services include fine needle aspiration and biopsy, Lumen-Apposing Metal Stents (LAMS) placement , celiac plexus neurolysis and coil embolization of fundal varices. 

Third-space endoscopic procedures: Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) and Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM)

The department is steadily advancing toward becoming a regional center of excellence for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Through multidisciplinary care involving gastroenterologists, colorectal surgeons, dietitians, and psychologists, patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis receive tailored treatment plans. Moreover, the department is contributing to shaping the future of IBD care with clinical trials and translational research.

Beyond clinical service, the Department of Gastroenterology at DMCH Ludhiana has carved a niche in academic and translational research, contributing significantly to global literature in areas such as:

    •    Liver and pancreatic diseases

    •    Luminal GI disorders

Functional gastrointestinal disorders

    •    Interventional endoscopy

The department’s research has been published in highly acclaimed journals, including the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Journal of Hepatology, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Endoscopy, Indian Journal of Gastroenterology, and Intestinal Research. These publications reflect the institution’s commitment to evidence-based medicine and innovation.

At its core, the department remains grounded in the principle that effective care must go hand in hand with empathy, safety, and continuity. Whether managing complex interventions or chronic gastrointestinal conditions, the focus remains on offering each patient a treatment plan that is appropriate and evidence-based.

The Gastroenterology department at DMCH Ludhiana continues to grow—not through declarations of excellence, but through consistent, thoughtful care and a commitment to medical integrity.