Gastroscopy
What is Gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy is an investigatory procedure that allows your surgeon to examine the oesophagus, stomach and a proximal section of the small intestine (duodenum). It is performed using a device called a gastroscope, which is a long flexible tube containing a camera and a light that transmits a high-definition video into a monitor for the surgeon to inspect the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Preparation for a Gastroscopy
If you are undergoing a gastroscopy, the hospital will contact you with the date for the procedure and inform you on what to do beforehand. You do not need to undergo bowel preparation prior to a gastroscopy.
Indications
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Episode of vomiting blood (haematemesis)
- Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
- Dyspeptic symptoms
- Weight loss or loss of appetite
- Iron-deficiency anaemia
- Black stools (melena)
- Abnormal imaging studies
The Procedure
Prior to the procedure, the anaesthetist will provide you with sedation to help you feel relaxed and settled during the gastroscopy. This will cause you to fall deep asleep during the gastroscopy and have no pain/discomfort throughout the procedure. The anaesthetist will also give you a numbing mouth spray, which will help relieve any discomfort caused by the gastroscope passing into the back of your throat.
You will be positioned on the left side of the bed. The gastroscope will then be gently inserted through the mouth into the oesophagus. The gastroscope will then advance through the oesophagus, the gastro-oesophageal junction, the stomach and the first and second parts of the duodenum. During the procedure, your doctor will carefully inspect the lining of organs for any lesions or abnormalities. Photographs will be taken for documentation and reporting.
The entire procedure can take up to 15 minutes.
You will need to remain in the hospital 60-90 minutes after the procedure, where they will give you a light meal to eat and drink before you are discharged home. We will discuss the findings from the procedure before you are discharged.
How do I prepare for the surgery?
A gastroscopy can detect:
- Strictures
- Ulcers or erosions
- Barrett’s oesophagus (a pre-cancerous lesion caused by reflux)
- Hiatus hernia
- Polyps or cancerous lesions
- Removal of foreign bodies.
If an abnormal or inflammatory area of the gastric mucosa is seen during the procedure, a biopsy will be performed or the lesion will be removed. It will then be sent to the pathologist for inspection.
If a polyp/abnormal region is seen during the procedure, the polyp will be removed. It will then be sent to the pathologist for inspection, particularly for cancerous changes.
