Gastroscopy

A gastroscopy is the examination of organs of gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum) by the gastroscope, a special instrument, which is inserted in the  patient’s mouth.

WHEN IS GASTROSCOPY PERFORMED?

The gastroscopy allows examining the condition of upper sections of the gastrointestinal tract in maximum detail. It is required in case of:

• gastritis;
• duodenitis (inflammation of the duodenum);
• esophagitis (inflammation of esophageal mucosa);
• ulcer of the stomach or duodenum;
• suspicion of tumor or bleeding of said organs.

The gastroscopy is an absolutely safe procedure; the only contraindication is the presence of severe burns of the esophagus. The stomachache is not the contraindication, but, on the contrary, it is the reason for vising the gastroenterologist.

HOW IS GASTROSCOPY PERFORMED?

Only the experienced endoscopist performs the diagnosis. The gastroscope is a thin, long and flexible fiber-optic tube, at the tip of which there is a camera. Lying on his side, the patient clenches with teeth a special mouthpiece, through which the gastroscope tube is inserted into the mouth, and then in the esophagus. The doctor carefully examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, recording the image, where it is necessary. The gastroscope allows getting a biopsy, removing small polyps, performing other medical manipulations.

On the average, the gastroscopy procedure takes not more than two-three minutes. If necessary, the gastroscopy record can be viewed by the doctor at any moment. The complications after the gastroscopy are rare and virtually absent if the gastroscopy was performed by the qualified and experienced doctors.

The gastroscopy allows detecting and immediately removing the gastric polyps – benign tumors, which over time can degenerate into cancerous tumors. 

The cost of gastroscopy with local anesthesia includes:

• procedure itself;
• consultation with endoscopist;
• stay on the day patient department for necessary time.

The cost of sleep gastroscopy includes:

• procedure itself;
• consultation with the endoscopist;
• stay in the day patient department for necessary time;
• consultation with anesthesiologist;
• anesthesia;
• medication support.

PREPARATION FOR PROCEDURE

The preparation is not difficult: you need to come fasting (not eat for minimum 8-10 hours) and warn the doctor about presence of diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus) and allergy to medications. Upon request, the patient may be given a local anesthesia of throat by using a spray with anesthetic.

While undergoing the gastroscopy, you may feel unpleasant feelings, but now it is the most reliable method of obtaining precise and comprehensive data on the condition of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum. The use of premedication and painkilling drugs in combination with modern equipment allows reducing these feelings to minimum.

The performance of gastroscopy by using medication sleep allows undergoing the procedure without any unpleasant feelings.

You can obtain additional information and make appointment for gastroscopy in Oxford Medical Kyiv clinic by calling us.