Gastroscopy is a well-established routine procedure for examining the upper digestive tract. For many conditions, gastroscopy is essential for establishing a diagnosis. During the procedure, the endoscopic diagnostic instrument is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus and then into the stomach.
Here you will find further information as well as a selection of doctors who perform gastroscopies.
During a gastroscopy, the doctor inserts a flexible tube (gastroscope) through the mouth into the stomach. The gastroscope is about 1 m long and has a diameter of less than 1 cm. There is a camera at the tip of the gastroscope. The camera image is magnified and displayed in real time on a monitor.
A gastroscopy allows the doctor to examine the mucous membranes
.
The gastroscope has what is known as a working channel. This channel allows air and fluid to be suctioned out and introduced. It also enables the insertion of
This allows the doctor to take a tissue sample, for example, right during the examination.
Gastroscopy is usually performed in specialized gastroenterology (gastrointestinal medicine) clinics or in a hospital.
A gastroscopy allows the doctor to view parts of the digestive tract directly from the inside © bilderzwerg / Fotolia
A gastroscopy can help diagnose a wide range of symptoms in the upper digestive tract. These include:
With a gastroscopy, the doctor can, among other things,
.
In addition, the examination may provide evidence of a small intestine disorder, such as
. For further examination of the small intestine, capsule endoscopy provides a more detailed picture of the condition of the tissue.
However, gastroscopy is not used solely for diagnostic purposes. The doctor can also use it to perform minor surgical procedures, such as
Unlike a colonoscopy, a gastroscopy does not require any special preparation. It is usually sufficient to fast on the day of the procedure. You can normally drink clear liquids up to two hours before the procedure.
It is recommended that you refrain from smoking on the day of the procedure.
If you are taking anticoagulant medications such as aspirin or Xarelto, discuss with your doctor whether you should stop taking them. However, this is often not necessary: a purely diagnostic gastroscopy can also be performed while you are on anticoagulants.
Immediately before the procedure, the throat may be numbed with an anesthetic spray to minimize the gag reflex. However, if desired, patients can also receive a sedative (usually propofol) or brief anesthesia so they are not conscious during the procedure.
The examination itself usually takes no longer than five minutes. The patient lies on their left side. The gastroscope is inserted through the throat into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
The video shows footage from an actual gastroscopy:
Once the deepest point is reached, air is introduced through the working channel to make the mucosa more visible. The doctor then examines the duodenum, stomach, and esophagus.
Tissue samples can be taken using forceps and are subsequently analyzed. The biopsy is painless. The samples can either be analyzed immediately using a rapid test—for example, to check for Helicobacter pylori infection or lactose intolerance—or they are sent to a laboratory for further analysis.
A gastroscopy is generally not painful. However, the procedure may trigger a gag reflex, which can be uncomfortable.
The distension of the stomach with air can lead to a feeling of fullness and belching. These symptoms are, however, only temporary and harmless.
A gastroscopy is a low-risk routine procedure. Serious complications are not expected with proper preparation.
Nevertheless, complications can rarely occur. These include damage to the teeth or the back of the throat, which can be caused by the insertion of the instrument. Injury to the larynx or vocal cords can also occur.
Bleeding may occur as a result of inserting the gastroscope or taking tissue samples. In very rare cases, stomach contents may be aspirated, leading to inflammatory bronchitis or even pneumonia.
Every physician listed in the Leading Medicine Guide has attained the highest level of training and certification within their respective medical specialty society. Furthermore, we contacted this physician based, among other factors, on their case volume (surgeries, treatments, and therapies), which we determined by cross-referencing various publicly available sources. Following discussions with the selected physicians and the directors of the medical facilities, as well as a subsequent internal review, they were admitted to the Leading Medicine Guide.
The quality assurance of the Leading Medicine Guide is further ensured by 8 admission criteria. Each member must meet at least 6 of them:
