Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy or Upper GI Endoscopy

Upper GI endoscopy is a procedure performed to diagnose and in some cases, treat problems of the upper digestive system.

Upper GI endoscopy can be helpful in the evaluation or diagnosis of various problems in the oesophagus, stomach and small bowel including difficult or painful swallowing, pain in the stomach, and bleeding, ulcers, and tumours.

Upper GI endoscopy is usually performed under sedation or light anaesthesia as a day procedure where you will be able to go home on the same day.

The endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera and light on the end. By adjusting the various controls on the endoscope, the endoscopist can safely guide the instrument to carefully examine the inside lining of the upper digestive system. The high quality picture from the endoscope is shown on a TV monitor it gives a clear, detailed view. In many cases, upper GI endoscopy is a more precise examination than X-ray studies.

Benefits

An upper GI endoscopy is both diagnostic and therapeutic. This means the test enables a diagnosis to be made upon which specific treatment can be given. If a bleeding site is identified, treatment can stop the bleeding, or if a polyp is found, it can be removed without a major operation. Other treatments can be given through the endoscope when necessary.

Indications

  • Difficulty or pain on swallowing
  • G.I. bleeding- hematemesis, melena, or iron-deficiency anaemia
  • Troublesome heartburn,Persistent ulcer-like pain,Dyspepsia
  • Anaemia suggestive of gastrointestinal bleeding
  • Loss of weight or appetite
  • With a history of gastric ulcer
  • To assess the healing process of gastric and duodenal ulcers
  • Diagnosis of malabsorption

Common condition that may require Upper GI endoscopy

  • Gastro oesophageal Reflux Disease –Reflux of acid produced by the stomach into the lower part of the oesophagus causing inflammation
  • Hiatus hernia- protrusion of the part of the stomach into chest cavity
  • Peptic ulcer disease- ulceration of the lining of the stomach or duodenum due excessive acid or infection by bacteria called Helicobacter pylori.
  • Upper gastrointestinal bleeding- diagnosis and treatment of bleeding gastric and duodenal ulcers.
  • Stomach and oesophagus cancer- Gastroscopy can identify the area of cancer and biopsies could be taken examination under the microscope.