GI Motility Unit

The GI Motility Unit at Bangkok Hospital is a specialized clinic dedicated to diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal motility disorders affecting both the upper and lower digestive tracts. Our multidisciplinary team uses cutting-edge technology to provide accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. We address conditions such as dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), GERD, chronic abdominal pain, constipation, and fecal incontinence. With international standards of care, we ensure personalized treatment plans for optimal digestive health. Trust Bangkok Hospital for expert care in gastrointestinal motility disorders.

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)

1. High Resolution Esophageal Manometry

Esophageal manometry is a highly sensitive and advanced diagnostic technique that precisely assesses esophageal movement. Utilizing high-resolution technology, it provides a detailed visualization of the esophagus—the muscular tube connecting the throat to the stomach—along with its swallowing functions. By measuring pressure exerted by esophageal and sphincter muscles during relaxation, contraction, and swallowing, this procedure helps identify the causes of swallowing difficulties and non-cardiac chest pain or discomfort. 

2. High Resolution Esophageal Manometry with Impedance

High-precision equipment, high resolution esophageal manometry with impedance precisely evaluates esophageal motility and the movement mechanism of the lower esophageal sphincter that affect swallowing ability. In addition, incorporated with multiple impedance sensors, this advancement allows the movement of air, liquid and solid foods to be examined. Subsequently, the types residual substances could be correctly identified, ensuring an accurate diagnosis of swallowing difficulties. 

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

3. pH Monitoring

The esophageal pH monitoring test at Bangkok Hospital measures acid reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, helping diagnose GERD and assess disease severity. It is recommended for patients with persistent acid reflux symptoms, incomplete response to treatment, or overuse of antacids. The test is performed using two methods: Catheter-pH monitoring, where a tube measures acid levels, or Wireless Bravo pH monitoring, which uses a small capsule to transmit data. This advanced diagnostic tool provides precise acidity measurements, enabling personalized GERD treatment for optimal patient care. 

Undiagnosed abdominal pain or discomfort

4. Hydrogen Breath Test (HBT)

Hydrogen Breath Test (HBT)  is safe and easy-to-perform test used as a diagnostic tool for diagnosis of small intestine bacterial overgrowth and carbohydrate mal-absorption such as glucose, lactose and fructose. This test is highly recommended if patients have experienced unidentified abdominal pain, discomfort or tenderness in the stomach after meals. Precise root cause analysis enables patients with abdominal pain to adjust their eating habits in accordance with their specified causes.

Constipation and fecal incontinence

5. High-Resolution Anorectal Manometry

High-resolution anorectal manometry is performed to evaluate causes of constipation and fecal incontinence. It is used to monitor parameters that are needed for regular bowel movements including measurement of the pressures of the anal sphincter muscles, the sensitivity of the rectum to stool movements and the neural reflexes during the resting state of the sphincter. It helps identifying the specific causes and finding the most effective treatments. This test can be further used to diagnose fecal incontinence (inability to control evacuation of the bowel) and Hirschsprung’s disease (an inborn absence of nerves in the wall of the colon). By performing this test, pressure profile of the rectum and anal sphincter muscles could be obtained before intestinal operation is required.

6. 3D High-Definition Anorectal Manometry

3D high-resolution anorectal manometry provides 3D topographic images of pressure along the anal canal. This diagnostic test is used to examine the sensitivity of the rectum to stool movements and the associated correlation between the dynamic movement of anal sphincter muscles and pressure exerted by the rectum.

Images with 3D resolution permit abnormalities to be clearly identified which can greatly be beneficial to patients who have experienced fecal incontinence as well as patients with surgical plan that might affect normal sphincter function.

7. Anorectal Biofeedback Training

Anorectal biofeedback training is a treatment program utilized instrument-based and neuromuscular conditioning techniques to train muscle functions in order to achieve regular bowel movements in patients presented with chronic constipation or fecal incontinence. Through the insertion of an anal probe, this training measures the pressure profile of the rectal sphincter muscles. The muscle functions during bowel movement will be immediately computed on the screen which can greatly help assisting the patients to learn about effective techniques to pass or hold stools healthily.

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