Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract (also known as panendoscopy or gastroscopy) is an examination involving the insertion of an endoscope into the stomach, i.e. a thin flexible instrument, with the help of which the doctor can examine the upper gastrointestinal tract, take samples for examination, and, if necessary, apply treatment ( e.g. to stop bleeding). Preparation for gastroscopy is easy – usually it is enough not to eat for at least 6 hours and not to drink fluids for at least 4 hours.
In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
Gastroscopy – what is it?
Gastroscopy is an endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, bulb, and the descending part of the duodenum. For this reason, the terms “upper gastrointestinal endoscopy”, “esophagoduodenoscopy” and “panendoscopy” are also used.
Gastroscopy is the most effective diagnostic method of the upper gastrointestinal tract, allowing the collection of specimens from the mucosa for histopathological assessment of the examined lesions. During gastroscopy, it is also possible to check the presence ofHelicobacter pyloribacteria in the digestive tract, as well as perform many therapeutic procedures, such as dilating the gastrointestinal tract, removing polyps or stopping bleeding.
Indications for gastroscopy
The indication for diagnostic gastroscopy is the suspicion of a disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Gastroscopy allows for its diagnosis, assessment of its advancement, collection of material for histopathological or microbiological examination, and assessment of the effectiveness of treatment. An indication for the examination is also the necessity of endoscopic treatment of some diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract, then we are talking about therapeutic gastroscopy.
Symptoms that may indicate a disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract include:heartburnand other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (especially problems with swallowing), as well as epigastric pain and dyspeptic symptoms (nausea, vomiting, postprandial fullness,belching). These symptoms are an indication for gastroscopy, especially if they occur in people over 45 years of age and are accompanied by alarm symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing or pain upon swallowing, severe upper abdominal pain appearing at night or anemia.
The indication for gastroscopy is any symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (melaena, bloody vomiting, positive fecal occult blood test, anemia, iron deficiency).
Gastroscopy is also performed in the diagnosis ofceliac disease, before planned surgeries (e.g. removal of the gallbladder) or in people with a positive family history of malignant diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Therapeutic gastroscopy is performed, among others, urgently in people with bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract (to stop bleeding), as well as in the treatment ofesophagealvarices or to remove a foreign body from the esophagus.
The course of gastroscopy
Does gastroscopy hurt?
Gastroscopy is an unpleasant but painless examination for the patient. Taking samples from the gastrointestinal mucosa is also painless.
How long does gastroscopy take?
The test takes from a few to several minutes.
The course of the study
The instrument used for the examination (endoscope) is specially disinfected each time, therefore the infection of the patient during the examination is unlikely. Sections of the mucosa are taken with sterile forceps, which also protects against infection. The material collected during the gastroscopy is sent to the pathology laboratory cooperating with the endoscopic laboratory and assessed under the microscope. The histopathological result is usually ready after 2 weeks. The result of the urease test forHelicobacter pylori infectionis known several minutes after the test.
PhotoEndoscopic image (in the photo on the right, a stomach tumor is visible)
Gastroscopy under anesthesia
It is sometimes necessary to undergo sedation or even general anesthesia. Sedation is used in patients who have previously had gastroscopy and developed poor tolerance of the test or in whom such difficulties can be expected (e.g. tests in children and mentally ill people). Sedation is also used in the case of long-term gastroscopy (e.g. control endoscopy in Barrett’s esophagus with a large number of samples) and most therapeutic endoscopies (during which treatment procedures will be performed). Sedation is the administration of sedative drugs that facilitate gastroscopy and reduce the patient’s discomfort during the examination.
How to prepare for a gastroscopy?
Before the gastroscopy, you should avoid eating for at least 6 hours and not drinking for 4 hours(sometimes this time may be longer, and you will be informed by your doctor),but if you are taking the necessary medications regularly in the morning, you can swallow them with a small amount of water. A few hours before the test, do not smoke or chew gum. Immediately before the examination, dentures should be removed. If you are taking medications that reduce blood clotting, some of them should be discontinued or replaced with other medications before the procedures planned during gastroscopy. This can only be done after consulting your doctor.
Gastroscopy – contraindications
The contraindication to gastroscopy are serious diseases, which make the risk of performing the examination outweigh its benefits. Such diseases include severeheartor respiratory failure, acute coronary syndrome andmyocardial infarction. A contraindication to endoscopy is also suspected perforation (perforation) of the gastrointestinal tract. The examination requires the patient’s written consent.
Possible complications after gastroscopy
As an invasive procedure, gastroscopy carries the risk of complications. However, they are extremely rare. Complications of gastroscopy may occur both during the examination and after its completion (even after several days); sometimes it is then necessary to conduct other, additional diagnostic tests and treatment, including surgical treatment.
The frequency of complications is estimated at about 0.5% (less frequently in the case of diagnostic gastroscopy, more often in the case of therapeutic gastroscopy). Complications of sedation are a significant part.
The complication rate of diagnostic gastroscopy is very low: bleeding occurs in about 0.15% of cases, and perforation (in the throat or esophagus) in about 0.01%.
Bleeding is a complication in therapeutic gastroscopy. Bleeding is a complication of about 0.15% of procedures, and the risk of their occurrence is increased in patients with coagulation disorders taking anticoagulants, especially in high-risk procedures.
Procedure after the procedure: what can you eat after gastroscopy?
The first meal, depending on the type of procedure, can be eaten at least 2 hours after the local anesthesia of the throat has worn off.
Can I drive a car after a gastroscopy?
If the endoscopic procedure is performed under anesthesia, no driving is allowed after the examination and a second person must be looked after when returning home.
