Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

I. WHAT IS GASTROSCOPY?
Gastroscopy involves the use of a slim, flexible endoscope (approximately 1 cm in diameter) equipped with an internal camera, gently guided through the mouth, down the throat, and into the stomach. 

Painless Gastroscopy
You will receive conscious sedation/anesthesia to ensure complete ease and comfort throughout the endoscopy procedure.
Benefits:
• Minimizes discomfort
• Rapid recovery time (approximately 15–30 minutes)
• No subsequent impact on long-term memory

• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Persistent or recurrent indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain that does not resolve despite medication
• Nausea or vomiting
• Vomiting blood (hematemesis)
• Black, sticky, tarry stools (resulting from gastric bleeding)
• Through endoscopy, the physician may collect tissue samples to test for H. pylori bacteria, perform hemostasis for bleeding ulcers, or excise polyps.  

Gastroscopy can be utilized to screen for certain types of cancer, such as:
• Gastric (stomach) cancer
• Esophageal cancer — cancer of the food pipe (esophagus), the muscular tube connecting your mouth to your stomach
• During the endoscopy, a small tissue sample may be collected from your stomach or esophagus for clinical analysis. This procedure is known as a biopsy.
• A biopsy is performed to evaluate the presence of cancerous cells.

III. PREPARATION: BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER ENDOSCOPY
Pre-endoscopy preparation
• Patients must fast (abstain from all food) for 6 to 8 hours prior to the endoscopy
• Small amounts of clear water may be consumed up to 2 hours before the procedure
• Undergo essential clinical diagnostics such as ECG, ultrasound, chest X-ray, and coagulation profile if clinically indicated
• Pre-endoscopic evaluation by the physician: medical history, current medications, drug allergies, etc.
• The patient signs the informed consent form for endoscopy
The Endoscopy Procedure

Post-Endoscopy Care
An endoscopy procedure typically lasts approximately 2–3 minutes. Upon completion, the patient will be guided to rinse their mouth and wait until the throat numbness has fully subsided before resuming normal eating and drinking.
If the endoscopy is conducted under conscious sedation or general anesthesia, the patient will be escorted to the premium recovery lounge until fully alert and refreshed (approximately 30–60 minutes).