The gastroenterology department of Ichilov Clinic is one of the largest in Israel, where diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of a wide range of digestive system diseases, including intestinal infarction, are conducted. More importantly, the department is equipped with modern technology, and it employs experienced, well-trained doctors who practice a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to patient care. This is reflected in weekly interdisciplinary meetings and the integration of dietitians, surgeons, radiologists, and psychologists in the treatment of patients with gastroenterological issues. Ongoing international clinical and scientific research is also an important focus of the institute's activities, helping to improve therapy outcomes.
To ensure that foreign patients feel comfortable at Ichilov, the clinic's international department provides each of them with personal case managers who coordinate all medical and diagnostic activities assigned to the patient and help them adapt to life in Israel and resolve everyday issues. Patient reviews about the treatment and the services of case managers are always positive.
About the Disease
Ischemia and intestinal infarction are serious conditions caused by insufficient blood flow to a specific part of the intestine. Regardless of which part of the intestine is affected – the small or large intestine – the patient experiences pain. The pain can be moderate or severe, sudden or intermittent. When blood supply is significantly impaired, ischemia can lead to intestinal rupture, sepsis, and may result in death. Therefore, treatment should begin as soon as possible.
Main Causes of the Disease
- Arterial embolism
- Arterial thrombosis
- Venous thrombosis
- Non-occlusive intestinal ischemia
Treatment Methods for the Disease
When treating intestinal infarction, it is important to stabilize the patient's condition as quickly as possible while simultaneously working to restore blood flow to the intestine.
Surgery
If signs of deterioration or peritonitis appear, surgery is performed to remove the necrotic part of the intestine and surgically restore blood flow. If emergency surgery is not required, other options for restoring blood flow include bypass surgery, angioplasty, and stenting or the administration of thrombolytic drugs.
Bypass Surgery
This surgery is indicated for patients with blockage of multiple arteries when a less invasive procedure cannot be performed. During the operation, the surgeon creates a bypass around the blocked vein using a synthetic graft or veins from other areas of the patient. The intestine is then checked for gangrenous areas, which are excised if found.
Angioplasty and Stenting
This is a minimally invasive procedure to widen a blocked artery and restore normal blood flow to the intestine. The surgeon accesses the blocked artery through a puncture in the groin vein. A special catheter is used to introduce a balloon at the site of the blocked artery, which is inflated to create the necessary lumen. After this, a metal mesh tube – a stent – is placed in the problem area to keep the artery walls open.
Medication Treatment
Typically, fluids are administered to restore and maintain circulation, pain relief is achieved using opioids, antibiotics are prescribed to attempt to prevent any leakage of intestinal bacteria into the abdominal cavity, causing peritonitis, and anticoagulant medications are prescribed to prevent further blood clotting.
- Surgical methods for treating gastrointestinal organs
Diagnosis of the Disease
The diagnosis of ischemia and intestinal infarction at Ichilov Clinic in Israel occurs in three stages and usually takes three days. In cases of intestinal ischemia with suspected infarction, all examinations are conducted in one day, and emergency surgery is performed. After stabilizing the patient's condition, additional examinations may be scheduled.
Examination
Upon arrival at the clinic, the patient immediately sees the attending physician. The physician conducts a physical examination, clarifies symptoms, studies the overall picture of the disease, and orders tests to confirm the diagnosis and identify or rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
Diagnosis
On the second day, specialized imaging studies of the abdominal cavity are conducted.
Types of studies:
- CT or MRI of the abdomen
- CT angiography (computed tomography combined with the injection of a contrast agent into a vein)
- Arteriography (a catheterization method where a contrast agent is injected into an artery and X-rays are taken).
Consultation
The final stage of the examination is a medical consultation. At this medical meeting, experts from related specialties review the clinical case to make a balanced collegial decision regarding the choice of treatment methods. Later, the attending physician meets with the patient to explain the benefits and risks, as well as to discuss the prognosis.
- Computed tomography
- CT angiography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
How Much Does Treatment Cost in Israel
The cost of treatment is determined based on the specific medical and diagnostic activities required for the patient. The list of these activities may vary from case to case, which affects the total expenses. The final price is announced after all diagnostic studies are completed and a specific treatment protocol is established. An approximate cost can be obtained in advance, even before arriving at the clinic. To do this, you need to fill out any of the application forms available on this site, call, or request a callback.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- Experienced gastroenterologists trained and interned in the largest clinics in the world.
- State-of-the-art equipment providing accurate diagnostic data and improving treatment outcomes.
- Availability of methods and medications that are not yet used in local clinics.
- Comfortable accommodation conditions, services of personal case managers to assist with adaptation in the clinic.
- Affordable treatment prices, no prepayments, and the ability to pay for services upon receipt.
If you would like to consult with an Israeli gastroenterologist, please fill out any of the application forms or call the number provided on the website. Our medical consultant will contact you to discuss the necessary details and schedule an appointment.