What is a gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy is an examination of the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and part of the small intestines. Gastroscopy is a safe procedure that provides information other tests may not be able to give. It is performed by using a device called gastroscope. The gastroscope is inserted via the mouth through a mouth guard to protect your teeth.
1) Unexplained discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen.
2) Heart burn or GORD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
3) Persistent nausea and vomiting.
4) To check for coeliac disease or wheat allergy
5) Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (vomiting blood or blood found in the stool that originated from the upper part of the GI tract). Bleeding can be treated during the gastroscopy.
6) Iron deficiency anaemia (low blood count associated with a low iron level in the blood) in someone who has had no visible bleeding.
7) Difficulty swallowing; food/liquids getting stuck in the oesophagus during swallowing. This may be caused by a narrowing (stricture) or tumour or because the oesophagus is not contracting properly. If there is a stricture, it can often be dilated with special balloons or dilation tubes during the endoscopy.
8) Abnormal or unclear findings on an upper GI x-ray, CT scan, or MRI.
9) Removal of a foreign body (a swallowed object).
10) To check healing or progress on previously found polyps (growths), tumors, or ulcers.
You are expected to be fasted for at least 6 hours prior to the procedure. This is to ensure that your stomach is empty prior the procedure. This allows goods views of the lining and minimises the risk of food getting aspirated into lungs during the procedure.
The procedure is normally done in theatre or a procedure room. Prior to the procedure you will be greeted and admitted by an admission nurse who will go through with you in detail about your health and will check your vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. You will also have a discussion with the anaesthetist and the gastroenterologist (endoscopist) prior to the procedure.
The procedure is done under sedation. Most of the patients are not aware of the procedure being done and by the time they wake up they are already in recovery. As the procedure is done under anaesthesia/ sedation it’s important to remember that you will need someone to take you home.
The gastroscope is a thin long black flexible tube, approximately the diameter of the little finger. The doctor will gently insert air through the scope into the stomach to inflate it and allow the doctor to see the entire lining. Various instruments can be passed through the gastroscope to take biopsies(samples from the stomach and intestinal lining) or stretch the oesophagus to Improve swallowing.
After the gastroscopy, you will be observed in a recovery area, usually for about 30 to 60 minutes until the effects of the sedative medication wears off. You should not return to work, drive, or drink alcohol that day. Most people are able to eat normally after the procedure. Ask your doctor or nurse when it is safe to restart aspirin and other blood-thinning medications.
Gastroscopy is a safe procedure, and complications are extremely rare but can occur:
- Bleeding can occur from biopsies but it is usually minimal and can be controlled.
- The gastroscope can cause a tear or hole in the oesophagus or stomach. This is a serious problem, but it is rare.
- It is possible to have side effects from the sedative medicines. These are rare, due to the very short acting medications used.
- Infections post gastroscopy are rare as the gastroscope is thoroughly cleaned and micro tested for infection causing organisms.
- There is small risk of aspiration of stomach contents into lungs which can lead to aspiration pneumonia. With proper fasting the risk is negligible
- Severe abdominal pain
- A firm, bloated abdomen
- Shortness of breath or persistent cough
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Black bowel motions (Also called melaena)
- Discuss with your doctor and nurse in regard to blood thinners like Aspirin, Plavix, Warfarin etc. Some of these might have to be stopped up to 10 days prior to procedure to decrease the risk of bleeding.
- Some of the diabetic medications including insulin might have to be modified to avoid low blood glucose levels while you are on modified diet and fasting prior to the procedure.
- It is extremely important that the stomach is empty prior to the procedure. Some patients with a history of nausea and vomiting might have to fast longer than usual
- Please inform the health staff about all your health conditions.
Please contact the staff at Complete Gastro Health if you have any queries or concerns .
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