Syed M. Abbas Fehmi, MD
- Gastroenterologist
- Professor of Medicine
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Syed M. Abbas Fehmi, MD, MS, is a board-certified gastroenterologist who specializes in all aspects of endoscopy. He also has expertise in complex procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy, endoscopic mucosal resection and sub mucosal dissection (EMR and ESD) and per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), a form of third space endoscopy. He works closely with community physicians and cancer physicians at UC San Diego Health for early and advanced cancer diagnosis, staging and management/treatment with endoscopic ultrasound, needle biopsy and injections, placement of chemotherapeutic agents into cancer, placement of markers for radiation, early cancer endoscopic resection to prevent surgery, full thickness resections (FTRD) and stent placements to relieve blockages from tumor or growths and/or creating new anastomosis. These are all alternatives to surgery.
Dr. Fehmi also works closely with our minimally invasive surgeons to develop novel surgical and endoscopic solutions to avoid large surgeries and help provide endoscopic solutions to foregut disorders. His referral practice also includes referral for failed procedures, complex colonoscopies for large polyps and failed past attempts, Barrett's esophagus related endoscopic resection of early tumors and ablation, pancreas cyst drainage, aspiration and ablation, pancreatitis, necrosectomy for complex pancreatitis and gall stone disease.
As a professor in the UC San Diego School of Medicine, Dr. Fehmi is active in research, working on assessing new endoscopic tools and techniques to enhance patient care. His work has appeared in several publications and he serves as a reviewer for journals such as Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Digestive and Liver Disease, Surgical Endoscopy and UpToDate physician resource. He has been a guest speaker and presented at multiple national conferences. He is also a member of the editorial board of American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) Video GIE journal and sits on national committees in the field of gastroenterology. He has also co-authored multiple Standard of Practice documents from ASGE that serve as standard of care in United States. These include topics like management of gall stone disease and role of ERCP, complications of colonoscopy, role of endoscopy in management of patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and management of achalasia.
He has trained physicians in advanced endoscopy techniques who are now at other leading hospitals and cancer centers abroad and in the United States. He has also authored novel educational videos on troubleshooting the endoscope and ergonomics of endoscopy. Doing endoscopy, educating others and staying up to date with all minimally advanced endoscopic procedures are his passions. He has been awarded teaching award by graduating GI fellows and selected as top doctor by San Diego county medical society in GI for multiple years in a row.
Dr. Fehmi completed fellowships in gastroenterology at the University of Michigan Medical School and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and is board certified in gastroenterology.
In his free time, Dr. Fehmi enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, playing squash, table tennis, doing Iyengar Yoga and spending time outside in sunny San Diego.
UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Gastroenterology & Digestive Health.
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