NB - SEE SCOPE PAGE FIRST!
Gastroscopy or “upper gastrointestinal endoscopy” is an examination of the inside of the gullet (esophagus), stomach (gastric) and first part of the small bowel (duodenum). It is performed by using a thin, flexible fibre-optic instrument with a light source and camera at the end that is passed through the mouth.
Patients are most often given a gastroscopic examination because of their indigestion / heartburn symptoms. The gastroscopy can be useful to confirm the presence of inflammation in the gullet and rule out Barret’s disease. Occasionally, the cause of indigestion is an ulcer and it is now known that many ulcers are due to bacterial infection (Helicobacter pylori) in the stomach. A biopsy (a small piece of the lining of the stomach) may be removed during an endoscopy and examined under the microscope in the laboratory to pinpoint an infection if indicated. A very small number of patients with indigestion will turn out to have cancer and, again, the diagnosis can be made accurately by biopsy.
ON THE DAY:
There will be a consultation before and after the procedure. To discuss the procedure, details of indications of the procedure, and findings of the procedure after afterwards.
Then you will meet the team. A Sedationist and Theatre sister will be present during the procedure. Once intravenous access is obtained a sedationist will administer conscious sedation. This is not a full anesthetic. You will not experience any discomfort or have any recollection of the procedure. You will lie down on their left side.
Sedation is not necessary, as the procedure is not painful, but recommended due to the discomfort of the procedure.
Afterwards you will be accompanied to a recovery room, where Dr Vermeulen will discuss the results of the scope afterwards. Cramping or bloating may occur during the first hour after the procedure. The sedative takes time to completely wear off, thus Dr Vermeulen will give you some time to recover before discussing the results.
You can eat and drink anything after the procedure. The rule that Dr Vermeulen usually gives his patients is : " Let your body guide you - if you are hungry, eat. If you just feel like something small, don't force yourself to eat."
