Gastroscopy is an endoscopic examination that allows the upper digestive system to be checked. The upper digestive system includes the oesophagus (i.e. a tube between the mouth and the stomach), the stomach and the duodenum (i.e. the first part of the small intestine).
Gastroscopy is the best method for diagnosing diseases of the upper digestive system due to its perfect visualization by the gastroscope (a thin flexible tube with a camera at the end and connected to a monitor). It is used to investigate problems such as difficulty swallowing, persistent abdominal and stomach pain, to diagnose gastric/duodenal ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux disease, to treat upper gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal obstruction, and to find polyps, cancer, or carcinoids.
The usual indications for the examination are:
- Burning in the chest
- Investigation of iron deficiency anemia
- Anorexia, weight loss
- Recurrent vomiting or urge to vomit
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Dyspeptic symptoms
- Chronic diarrhea or malabsorption
- Cirrhosis of the liver to check for esophageal varices or portal gastropathy
- Black stools, or vomiting blood
- Surveillance for dysplasia and other precancerous lesions of the stomach
- Digestive bleeding
- Family history of malignancy stomach
Procedure:
Gastroscopy is not painful and is performed under anesthesia or under general anesthesia. The time for a simple diagnostic gastroscopy usually does not exceed 5-10 minutes at most. The patient should be fasting for at least 6-8 hours before the examination and should not have drunk water or other liquids for 2 to 3 hours before, so that the stomach has time to empty.
For the examination, the gastroenterologist inserts the gastroscope into the patient’s mouth and examines the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, with regard to the inner lining of the upper digestive tract (mucosa).
During the gastroscopy, if deemed necessary, the gastroenterologist takes a sample for biopsy, i.e. a small piece of tissue from the inside of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, for further analysis by a pathologist. In this way, benign from malignant lesions, malignancies, autoimmune diseases (celiac disease, autoimmune gastritis, Crohn’s disease) that are not always visible to the naked eye are distinguished, while Helicobacter pylori is also accurately checked (a microbe that causes chronic inflammation in the stomach and can lead to ulcers or even stomach cancer). Also, in the event of active bleeding, the gastroenterologist can identify it and stop it with various techniques.
After the test, the examinee should remain in the recovery room for some time, where he or she is monitored until he or she has fully recovered. It is recommended not to drive for a few hours and rest for the rest of the day.
It is also recommended to avoid drinking alcohol, driving, lifting weights, working, and any physical exercise/activity. The gastroenterologist will give the patient all the necessary instructions.