120 Lowes Dr. #105 Pittsboro, NC 27312
Now Accepting New Patients
Philip Brondon, MD
Dr. Brondon, a resident of Chatham County, received his medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo and completed an Internal Medicine residency at Harvard Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. Dr. Brondon completed a gastroenterology fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Ravikant V Varanasi, MD
Dr. Varanasi resides in Chapel Hill, NC and has been in clinical practice for over 20 years. Dr. Varanasi received his medical degree from the 6-year accelerated B.A.-M.D. program at Lehigh University and Medical College of Pennsylvania. He completed Internal Medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts and received his gastroenterology training at the University of Maryland.
Pinehurst Medical Clinic Gastroenterology – Pittsboro
Pinehurst Medical Clinic – Gastroenterology physicians are accredited specialists in diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases affecting the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver pancreas, and gallbladder).
The diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterology procedures performed and the conditions treated by Pittsboro Gastroenterology physicians include:
Conditions and Procedures:
- Abdominal pain
- Anemia
- Barrett’s Esophagus
- Bile duct disorders
- Carb intolerance (fructose/lactose)
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- Celiac disease
- Change in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhea)
- Colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Celiac disease
- Change in bowel habits (constipation/diarrhea)
- Colitis
- Diverticulitis
- Dysphagia
- Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT for c-diff)
- Gallstones
- Gas/bloating
- Reflux (GERD)
- GI Bleed
- Dx: tumors/CA
- H-pylori
- Hemorrhoids /banding
- Indigestion/Heartburn
- IBS
- Jaundice
- Liver (Hepatitis, cirrhosis, elevated LFT’s, fatty liver)
- Nausea/vomiting
- Pancreatic disorders
- Peptic ulcers
- Small bowel disorders
- Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)
- Colonoscopy
- EGD
- Dilation
- CapsulePlacement
- Flex Sig
Gastroenterology Infusion:
Offered at Pinehurst Location
- Remicade
- Entyvio
- Humira Injection
- Cimizia Injection
- Simponi Injection
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- Injectafer (Iron)
- Sterlera Infusion/injection
- Fluids
- IBD/Hepatitis Teaching/education
Other Services:
- Video Capsule Endoscopy
- Breath Tests
- G-tube replacements
- Hemorrhoid banding
- Bravo pH
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- 24hr Impedance Study
- Anorectal manometry
- Esophageal manometry
- Paracentesis
- CT
- MRI
- Ultra Sound
- EUS
- ERCP
Pinehurst Medical Clinic Endoscopy Center is recognized by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for Promoting Quality in Endoscopy.
Pinehurst Medical Clinic Endoscopy Center is certified as a GI Quality Improvement Consortium.
What is Adenoma Detection Rate?
Adenoma Detection Rate is critical for a quality colonoscopy and for colon cancer prevention. ADR has become a national benchmark on quality for screening colonoscopy. Quality indicators or measures are tools that help to quantify health-care processes and can aid in providing high-quality healthcare. Adenoma Detection Rate has become a quality a measure considering, for every 1 percent increase in a physician’s ADR, a patient’s risk of developing colon cancer over the next year decreases by 3 percent. Doctors who are extremely proficient at finding and removing precancerous polyps have patients who are less likely to get cancer.
Endoscopy Instructions
Colonoscopy Instructions
Understanding Endoscopy
An upper endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). Your doctor will use a thin flexible tube called an endoscope, which has its own lens and light source, and will view the images on a video monitor. You might hear your doctor or other medical staff refer to upper endoscopy as upper GI endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or panendoscopy.
Endoscopy Prep
Understanding Colonoscopy
What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy enables your doctor to examine the lining of your colon (large intestine) for abnormalities by inserting a flexible tube as thick as your finger into your anus and slowly advancing it into the rectum and colon. If your doctor has recommended a colonoscopy, this brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure – how it’s performed, how it can help, and what side effects you might experience. It cannot answer all of your questions since much depends on the individual patient and the doctor. Please ask your doctor about anything that you do not understand.
Why Choose an ASC?
Patients who choose an outpatient surgery center or an ambulatory surgery center have found them to be more cost effective, convenient, safe and patient focused. In an Ambulatory Service Center patients find their visit to be more seamless and personal with specialized staff to assist throughout the process.
Will Insurance Pay For Your Colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is the best method for preventing and detecting colorectal cancer. This type of cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It is important that you have this test because it could save your life.
Patients are often concerned about the cost of this procedure so, we suggest that you contact your insurance carrier prior to the procedures to discuss your benefits. This does not apply if your primary insurance coverage is Medicare. When discussing your benefits with your insurance company, it is imperative that you notify them which type colonoscopy you are having based on the criteria below. Your insurance carrier can help you determine what portion you may have to pay.
Colonoscopy is the best method for preventing and detecting colorectal cancer. This type of cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It is important that you have this test because it could save your life.
Patients are often concerned about the cost of this procedure so, we suggest that you contact you insurance carrier prior to the procedures to discuss your benefits. This does not apply if your primary insurance coverage is Medicare. When discussing your benefits with your insurance company, it is imperative that you notify them which type colonoscopy you are having based on the criteria below. Your insurance carrier can help you determine what portion you may have to pay.
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Screening Colonoscopies
Most insurance companies offer wellness and screening benefits to their members. This means a service performed for screening purposes alone may be covered 100%.
Screening Colonoscopies are indicated for the following criteria:
- Staring at age 50 or older in patients with no symptoms
- No personal or family history of colon cancer
- No history of colon polyps from previous colonoscopies
- Repeat screening 10 years after normal colonoscopy
Diagnostic Colonoscopies
These procedures are often covered by insurance companies but patients may be required to pay a co-payment or deductible. Diagnostic procedures are usually NOT covered under a wellness benefit.
Diagnostic Colonoscopies are indicated for the following reasons:
- Previous Colonoscopy with adenomatous polyps removed
- Symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, etc.
- Inflammatory bowel disease/diverticulosis
- Personal/Family history of colorectal cancer
