A gastroscopy, also often referred to as an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD), is a direct visual examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract. It enables detailed inspection of the inner lining of your oesophagus, stomach and the first two sections of the duodenum. The procedure is carried out using a gastroscope, which is a thin, flexible tube about 9-10 mm in diameter with a camera and light source at its tip that displays a high definition image on a TV screen. Typically patients are sedated for the procedure by a specialist anaesthetist and a local anaesthetic throat spray is also often used.
When necessary, small tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken through a tiny channel within the endoscope. Other thin instruments can be passed through the same channel to enable the removal of polyps (using a thin electric snare wire), dilation of a narrowing (typically using a balloon) or the removal of foreign objects. In addition, bleeding lesions can be treated using either injection of an adrenaline solution, heat therapy, mechanical therapy (using clips) or certain haemostatic powders.
The procedure typically takes between 5 and 20 minutes.
Happy Holidays!
Please note that our rooms will be closed from midday on Friday 20 December and we look forward to welcoming you again from Tuesday 7 January.