Gastroscopy

Published by Bupa's Health Information Team, February 2011.

This factsheet is for people who are having a gastroscopy, or who would like information about it.

A gastroscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to look inside the oesophagus (the pipe that goes from the mouth to the stomach), the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

You will meet the doctor carrying out your procedure to discuss your care. It may differ from what is described here as it will be designed to meet your individual needs.

How a gastroscopy is carried out

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About gastroscopy

A gastroscopy is also known as an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. It is performed using a narrow, flexible, telescopic camera called a gastroscope. The gastroscope is swallowed and passed down your oesophagus into your stomach and then into the duodenum.

A gastroscopy can help find out what is causing symptoms such as:

• indigestion
• heartburn
• repeated vomiting or vomiting blood
• difficulty swallowing
• long-term abdominal (tummy) pain
• weight loss
• anaemia

It's also used to check for certain gastrointestinal conditions such as:

• coeliac disease
• ulcers
• Barrett's oesophagus
• early signs of cancer

A gastroscopy can be used to see if there are any growths or ulcers in your oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, and can be used to remove any blockages.

What are the alternatives?

Depending on your symptoms, it may be possible to diagnose your condition using a different or additional tests, such as an X-ray called a barium swallow and meal, a CT scan, MRI scan or ultrasound scan.

Preparing for a gastroscopy

Your doctor will explain how to prepare for your procedure.

Let your doctor know if you are taking anticoagulant medicines (medicines that prevent your blood clotting) such as heparin, clopidogrel or warfarin.

Gastroscopy is usually done as a day-case procedure in hospital. This means that you won't need to stay overnight.

Your stomach needs to be completely empty so your doctor can see the lining of your stomach and duodenum clearly. You will be asked to follow fasting instructions. Typically, you must not eat or drink for six to eight hours before your gastroscopy. However, it’s important to follow your doctor’s advice.

Gastroscopy may be done under local anaesthesia, which is usually given as a throat spray. This blocks pain from your throat, but you will stay awake during the procedure. You will usually be offered a sedative to help you relax, which is given as an injection at the start of the procedure. Sedative medicines used include diazepam and although you will still be awake you may remember very little about the procedure.

Your doctor will discuss with you what will happen before, during and after your procedure, and any pain you might have. This is your opportunity to understand what will happen, and you can help yourself by preparing questions to ask about the risks, benefits and any alternatives to the procedure. This will help you to be informed, so you can give your consent for the procedure to go ahead, which you may be asked to do by signing a consent form.

What happens during a gastroscopy

The procedure usually takes between five and 30 minutes.

Your nurse will ask you to take off your shirt or top and put on a hospital gown. He or she will also ask you to remove dentures or dental plates, contact lenses, glasses and jewellery.

If you're having a sedative, this is usually given through a fine tube (cannula) into a vein in your arm. Sedatives can sometimes affect your breathing. So while you're sedated, your doctor will monitor the amount of oxygen in your blood through a sensor attached to your finger and he or she may give you extra oxygen to breathe.

You will be asked to lie on your left side with your head bent slightly forward. Your doctor will place a mouth guard over your teeth before carefully putting the gastroscope through the opening in the guard into your mouth. Your doctor will ask you to swallow to allow the gastroscope to pass into your oesophagus and down towards your stomach.

A nurse may use a suction tube to remove excess saliva from your mouth during the procedure.

Your doctor will pump air through the gastroscope and into your stomach to expand it. This makes your stomach lining easier to see. The camera lens at the end of the gastroscope sends images from the inside of your body to a monitor. Your doctor will look at these images to examine the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.

If necessary, your doctor will take a biopsy (a small sample of tissue) or remove small growths of tissue called polyps. This is done using special instruments passed inside the gastroscope. The samples will be sent to a laboratory for testing. Some other procedures can be carried out through the gastroscope, including stretching narrowed areas of your oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, and treating blood vessels or ulcers using injections or heat.

What to expect afterwards

You will need to rest until the effects of the sedative have passed. You will usually be able to go home when you feel ready. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You should have a friend or relative stay with you for the first 24 hours.

After a local anaesthetic, it may take several hours before the feeling comes back into your mouth and throat. Don’t try to eat or drink until you can swallow normally. Once you’re able to swallow, you can usually return to your normal diet. However, don’t drink hot drinks until the local anaesthetic has fully worn off.

Your doctor may discuss the general findings of the gastroscopy with you before you leave the hospital, or you may be given a date for a follow-up appointment. If you have a biopsy or polyps removed, your test results will be ready several days later.

Recovering from a gastroscopy

If you need pain relief, you can take over-the-counter medicines, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine and if you have any questions, ask your pharmacist for advice.

Sedation temporarily affects your co-ordination and reasoning skills, so you must not drive, drink alcohol, operate machinery or sign legal documents for 24 hours afterwards. If you're in any doubt about driving, always follow your doctor's advice and please contact your motor insurer so that you're aware of their recommendations.

Most people have no problems after a gastroscopy, but you should contact your doctor if you:

• cough up or vomit blood
• have blood in your faeces
• have abdominal pain or shoulder pain that gradually gets worse, or is more severe than any pain that you had before the test

What are the risks?

As with every procedure, there are some risks associated with gastroscopy. We have not included the chance of these happening as they are specific to you and differ for every person. Ask your doctor to explain how these risks apply to you.

Side-effects

These are the unwanted, but mostly temporary effects you may get after having the procedure.

After having a gastroscopy you may:

• have a numb throat for a few hours
• have a sore throat or stomach pain for a few hours
• feel bloated, but this usually passes quite quickly

Complications

This is when problems occur during or after the procedure. Most people aren't affected.

Specific complications of gastroscopy are uncommon, but include the following.

• Bleeding, particularly if a biopsy has been taken.
• Damage or tears to your oesophagus, stomach or duodenum, particularly if a biopsy has been taken or a polyp has been removed.
• A reaction to the sedative, such as a skin rash, difficulty in breathing or heart problems.

For answers to frequently asked questions on this topic, see Common questions.

For sources and links to further information, see Resources.