PROCEDURES Gastroscopy

What is Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a procedure where an endoscope, which is a thin tube, is used to look inside the oesophagus (gullet), the stomach and the first section of the duodenum, which is the small intestine.

This procedure is also sometimes called an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The endoscope has a light and a tiny camera at one end. The camera projects images from inside your oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum to a monitor for your medical team to assess.

Gastroscopy can be used to:

• Treat certain conditions such as bleeding ulcers, blockages in the oesophagus, growths or small tumours.
• Diagnose and monitor conditions such as ulcers or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), persistent heartburn and acid reflux.
• Investigate swallowing problems such as persistent stomach aches.

Gastroscopy, which is performed to confirm symptoms or substantiate a diagnosis, is called a diagnostic gastroscopy. Gastroscopy, which is performed to treat a condition, is called therapeutic gastroscopy.

What to expect

The gastroscopy procedure generally takes less than 15 minutes, although it may take longer if used to treat a specific condition.

It's usually an outpatient procedure, so you will not have to spend the night in the hospital.

Before the procedure, our highly-trained sedationist will numb your throat with a local anaesthetic. If you prefer to be less conscious, you can also choose to have a sedative. This means you will still be awake, but you will have reduced awareness of what's happening and be more comfortable.

Your doctor will place the endoscope in the back of your mouth and ask you to swallow the first part of the tube. Your doctor will then guide it down your oesophagus and into your stomach for the procedure.

The gastroscopy procedure is not usually painful, but it may be unpleasant and uncomfortable.