Digestive Health at Knott Family Endoscopy Center
Digestive Health at Knott Family Endoscopy Center
Our Approach
At the forefront of digestive health, Knott Family Endoscopy Center combines nationally recognized expertise with the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care.
Our highly specialized multidisciplinary team includes foregut, colorectal, hepatobiliary and thoracic surgeons, gastroenterologists, oncologists, radiologists and more. These experts collaborate on cases during regular biweekly conferences to ensure that treatment plans are designed to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
We’re committed to less invasive care, which has made us a national center of excellence in minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. Whether treating colorectal and stomach cancers or performing hernia repairs, our surgeons use robotic techniques to enhance precision, reduce complications and significantly shorten recovery times.
As one of the top hospitals in the nation for digestive disorders, we will always be dedicated to improving our patients’ quality of life through innovative and compassionate care.
Some of the disorders that we treat include:
- Abnormal bowel function
- Achalasia
- Barrett’s esophagus
- Bile duct cancer
- Bile duct injury
- Bowel obstruction
- Colorectal cancer
- Cholangitis
- Choledochal cysts
- Colon polyps
- Dysphagia
- Diverticulitis
- Enlarged spleen
- Eosinophilic esophagitis
- Esophageal cancer
- Esophageal diverticulum
- Esophageal motility disorders
- Esophagitis
- Fecal incontinence
- Gallbladder cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Gastric ulcer
- Gastritis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
- Gastroparesis
- Globus pharynges
- Hiatal hernia
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Inguinal hernia
- Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease
- Liver and biliary cancer
- Liver cysts
- Liver disease
- Cirrhosis
- Fatty liver disease
- Hepatitis A, B, and C
- Liver fibrosis
- Pyogenic liver disease
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Pancreatitis, both acute and chronic
- Pancreatic cancer
- Pancreatic cysts and pseudocysts
- Paraesophageal hernia
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Pseudo obstructions
- Splenic disease
- Ulcerative colitis
We offer diagnostic procedures and therapies available at only a handful of medical centers in Southern California, including advanced new techniques for colonoscopies and endoscopies.
Some inpatient procedures may be performed at Providence St. Jude Medical Center.
- Anorectal manometry
- Celiac plexus block
- Cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL)
- Cryotherapy for Barrett’s esophagus
- Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE)
- Endoscopic achalasia procedures
- Endoscopic fistula closure
- Endoscopic functional lumen imaging probe, or EndoFLIP
- Endoscopic management of pancreatic pseudocysts and cysts
- Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR)
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
- ERCP for altered anatomy
- Endoscopic stenting
- Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)
- Endoscopic suturing
- Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
- EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy
- EUS-guided cystogastrostomy
- EUS-guided gallbladder and biliary drainage
- EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy
- EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy
- EUS-guided necrosectomy
- EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation
- High-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM)
- Polypectomies, including complex cases
- Pneumatic balloon dilation, or EsoFLIP®
- Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF)
Our expert surgeons use innovative procedures that yield much lower complication rates than the national average.
- Cholecystectomy
- Choledochal cyst excision
- Colectomy
- cTIF, a single procedure where TIF is combined with hernia repair
- Esophagectomy
- Esophageal diverticulectomy
- Gastrectomy
- Heller myotomy
- Hernia repair
- Diaphragmatic and hiatal
- Inguinal, umbilical, ventral and incisional
- LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation
- Liver resection
- Lower anterior resection
- Nissen and Toupet fundoplication
- Pancreatectomy
- Pyloroplasty
- Rectal prolapse repair
- Splenectomy
- Small bowel resection
- Whipple procedure
Interventional radiology helps specialists diagnose and treat a variety of conditions without the need for major surgery. These combined minimally invasive procedures and imaging techniques could include:
- Balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO)
- Histotripsy
- Percutaneous ablation
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Intraductal radiofrequency ablation
- Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)
- Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
The Most Comprehensive Care for Digestive Health
At Providence St. Jude Medical Center, we offer a wide range of continued services and end-to-end care, so that you can get on the road to recovery as quickly as possible.
Our interventional gastroenterologists and foregut surgeons offer leading-edge diagnostics and treatments for chronic heartburn and acid reflux. This includes procedures like robotic-assisted tailored fundoplication, LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation and transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) – which is often combined with hernia repair in a single, minimally invasive procedure.
If GERD has progressed to Barrett’s esophagus, we provide incisionless therapies like cryotherapy, radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR).
Our goal is to help you achieve long-term relief and improve your quality of life.
We also offer genetic testing and counseling for individuals with a family history of other digestive cancers, such as colorectal or stomach cancer. Through advanced genetic testing, we identify inherited gene mutations that may increase cancer risk and provide early detection and prevention strategies tailored to your unique genetic profile.
Pancreatic cancer is on track to become the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., largely due to late-stage diagnoses. To improve outcomes, early screening is recommended for individuals at higher risk, including those with a family history of pancreatic cancer, certain genetic mutations – such as BRCA1/2 or CDKN2A – or pancreatic cysts found incidentally on imaging.
Identifying and monitoring these high-risk individuals can lead to earlier detection and significantly better chances of successful treatment.
Pelvic health and digestive health are closely interconnected, as the pelvic region houses key components of the digestive system, including parts of the large intestine. Conditions such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can directly impact pelvic health by affecting bowel function and increasing abdominal pressure.
Additionally, the muscles and nerves in the pelvic floor play a crucial role in supporting bowel movements and maintaining continence. Dysfunction in this area can lead to digestive issues, including fecal incontinence and chronic pelvic pain.
Our holistic approach to digestive care includes pelvic health so that we can address the interconnected nature of these systems. Through our Pelvic Health Program, we provide:
- Biofeedback therapy: Techniques that help patients gain better control over pelvic floor muscles, often used to treat incontinence and constipation
- Dietary consultation: Personalized nutrition plans to manage digestive issues and reduce strain on the pelvic floor
- Education: Resources for patients to learn more about the connection between pelvic and digestive health and the unique challenges that affect these systems
- Pelvic floor physical therapy: Specialized exercises and therapies to strengthen pelvic muscles, improve bowel function and alleviate pelvic pain
Our interventional endoscopy program is among the most advanced in Southern California. We use state-of-the-art techniques to diagnose and treat digestive conditions from within the GI tract – eliminating the need for open surgery.
Procedures like double balloon enteroscopy, only available at a handful of medical centers in Southern California, allow us to examine the entire small intestine, offering new hope for patients with symptoms that are difficult to diagnosis, like GI bleeding or abdominal pain.
Our digestive cancer program, part of the Crosson Cancer Institute at Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, brings together a team of subspecialty-trained experts across nearly a dozen disciplines. Through biweekly cancer conferences and access to groundbreaking clinical trials, we ensure every patient benefits from the latest therapies and a comprehensive, collaborative approach to care.
From endoscopic removal of complex polyps to molecularly targeted treatments for pancreatic and gastric cancers, we’re redefining what is possible in cancer care.
Good digestive health starts with prevention and whole-person care. Our wellness team of nutrition, fitness, massage and breathwork experts support gut health by helping patients reduce inflammation, strengthen the gut-immune connection and lower disease risk through personalized strategies.
Their services include:
- Cooking classes
- Guided grocery store tours
- Integrative therapies such as massage and breathwork
- Meal planning
- Nutrition counseling
Histotripsy Now Available
Providence St. Jude Medical Center is among the first in California to offer histotripsy – a revolutionary, noninvasive procedure for treating liver cancer. Even patients who aren’t candidates for open surgery, or have inoperable liver tumors, could potentially be histotripsy candidates.
The procedure uses focused ultrasound via the Edison® System – an innovative technology that can destroy tumors without surgery or incisions.
Find a Doctor
At Providence, you'll have access to a vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.
Recognition
U.S. News & World Report - High Performing Hospital in Colon Cancer Surgery (2025-26)
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Honoree through 2028
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Center of Excellence in Surgical Safety
Learn Everything You Need to Know About GERD
If you’re experiencing frequent acid reflux and heartburn, and over-the-counter medications aren’t helping, it could be the sign of something more serious – like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Our class explores the symptoms, causes and latest treatment options for GERD, so that you can find lasting relief.
Find Clinical Trials
Are you looking for a clinical trial for yourself or for a patient? We’d love to help you find one!