Esophageal and Gastrointestinal Surgery

Overview

Specializes in surgery for esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and selected small-intestinal diseases, with a major focus on gastrointestinal cancer. The department emphasizes low-invasive surgery and multidisciplinary cancer treatment.

Key Strengths at Kobe University Hospital

  • Very strong minimally invasive program, with the great majority of cancer operations performed using robot-assisted surgery or thoracoscopic/laparoscopic approaches.
  • Comprehensive treatment of esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer with surgery integrated with systemic therapy and radiation when needed.
  • Experience with advanced low-invasive techniques for upper and lower gastrointestinal malignancy, aiming to balance radicality and functional preservation.
  • Participation in multidisciplinary treatment for advanced disease, including perioperative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy.

Major Conditions / Services

  • Esophageal cancer
  • Gastric cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • GIST and selected duodenal/small-intestinal tumors
  • Selected benign gastrointestinal surgical disease

Representative Procedures / Programs

  • Thoracoscopic/laparoscopic and robotic gastrointestinal surgery
  • Multidisciplinary treatment for advanced GI malignancy
  • Perioperative functional and nutritional management