Dr. Raj Vigna Venugopal

Dr Raj Vigna Venugopal is a senior medical gastroenterologist in Bengaluru with 31 years of experience, currently serving as Head of the Department of Medical Gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road.

He specialises in advanced therapeutic endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound guided procedures, third space endoscopy, gastro-oncology, and inflammatory bowel disease, and is widely recognised as a pioneer in per-oral endoscopic myotomy for achalasia cardia and the first gastroenterologist in Bengaluru to establish an endosonography unit.

He consults in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, and Tamil.

Area of Expertise

Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy and ERCP

Patients requiring complex endoscopic interventions for biliary, pancreatic, and gastrointestinal conditions are managed by Dr Raj Vigna Venugopal with high-volume procedural expertise:

• Therapeutic ERCP for biliary and pancreatic disease
• Endoscopic stone extraction and stenting
• Biliary stricture management
• Pancreatic ductal intervention
• Complex therapeutic endoscopy procedures

Endoscopic Ultrasound and EUS-Guided Procedures

Patients requiring diagnostic and therapeutic EUS interventions are managed with over 1500 cases of experience in diagnostic and therapeutic endosonography:

• EUS-guided tissue acquisition and biopsy
• EUS-guided drainage procedures
• EUS for pancreatic and biliary evaluation
• Therapeutic EUS-guided interventions
• Endosonography for gastrointestinal tumour staging

Third Space Endoscopy

Patients with achalasia cardia, early gastrointestinal cancer, and submucosal tumours are managed with advanced third space endoscopic techniques, with the largest single centre POEM experience in Karnataka:

• Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) for achalasia cardia
• Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) for early GI cancer
• Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)
• Submucosal tumour endoscopic resection
• Gastric outlet obstruction endoscopic palliation

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Gastro-Oncology

Patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and gastrointestinal malignancies are managed with evidence-based medical and endoscopic treatment strategies:

• Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis management
• Differentiation of Crohn's disease from intestinal tuberculosis
• Gastro-oncological endoscopic evaluation
• Early cancer detection and endoscopic management
• Long-term IBD monitoring and therapy optimisation

Hepatology and Pancreatology

Patients with liver disease, pancreatitis, and hepatobiliary conditions are evaluated and managed with medical and endoscopic expertise:

• Chronic hepatitis B and C management
• Fatty liver disease evaluation and care
• Acute and chronic pancreatitis management
• Pancreas divisum endoscopic therapy
• Liver cirrhosis evaluation and follow-up

Professional Experience

Current Hospital Affiliation

Dr Raj Vigna Venugopal currently consults at:

• Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru (Head of Department)

Previous Associations and Training Roles

• Assistant Professor, Gastroenterology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi
• Clinical training at Christian Medical College, Vellore
• Residency training at SGPGIMS, Lucknow

International Training

• EUS and Therapeutic Endoscopy, Paoli-Calmettes Regional Cancer Centre, Marseille, France
• EUS Training, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Therapeutic Endoscopy and EUS Training, University of Alabama, USA
• Advanced Endoscopy Training, Medical University of South Carolina, USA
• EUS Training, Selyang University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Observership in Liver Unit, Asan Medical Centre, South Korea
• European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Certification in Advanced Endoscopy, Athens, Greece

Credentials and Qualifications

• MBBS, TD Medical College, Alappuzha (1995)
• DNB General Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (1998)
• DM Medical Gastroenterology, SGPGIMS, Lucknow (2003)

Medical Council Registration

• Karnataka Medical Council, Registration No. 85181 (2009)

Milestones and Achievements

• First gastroenterologist in Bengaluru to establish an endosonography unit (2006)
• Over 1500 cases of diagnostic and therapeutic endosonography
• Largest single centre experience in POEM for achalasia cardia in Karnataka
• Conducting the DNB Gastroenterology course at Manipal Hospital since 2013
• Administered the National DNB Exit Examination (2020)

Research and Publications

Dr Raj Vigna has published in national and international gastroenterology journals and presented research at national and international conferences. Key research areas include:

• Differentiation of Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis
• Palliation of gastric outlet obstruction in advanced gallbladder carcinoma
• Outcomes of endoscopic therapy in recurrent pancreatitis associated with pancreas divisum
• Management strategies for chronic hepatitis B in children

Published works indexed include:

• Shah SR, Rao PN, Sarin SK, Venugopal RV et al
• Paul J, Venugopal RV, Peter S et al, published in Oxford Academic and SciELO journals

Media Contributions

Dr Raj Vigna has contributed expert commentary in national health media on topics including:

• Rising liver and gastric disease incidence
• Fatty liver disease and mental health risks, News 9
• Artificial colours and preservatives in food, Manipal Hospitals
• Hepatitis and liver cirrhosis management, Healthshots

Professional Memberships

• Member, Indian Society of Gastroenterology
• Member, Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India
• Member, Indian National Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
• Member, Indian Medical Association

Book an Appointment with Dr Raj Vigna Venugopal, Gastroenterologist in Bengaluru

To check consultation availability and book an appointment with Dr Raj Vigna Venugopal at Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, visit HexaHealth and confirm the next available slot.