gastroscopy
Our endoscopists are highly trained specialists and welcome your questions regarding the procedure. Our endoscopists are all members of Quality Endoscopy New Zealand, your guarantee of the highest quality endoscopy.
Gastroscopy requires the stomach to be empty to provide us with the best possible views. During gastroscopy, we are able to diagnose abnormalities by direct inspection and confirm the findings by biopsy and microscopic examination. We can also diagnose Helicobacter pylori which can lead to peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. Additionally, we can treat many disorders, such as strictures (narrowing) of the oesophagus by dilatation (stretching).
Our endoscopists
How it works
Diagnostic & Therapeutic Gastroscopy
This procedure allows us to directly examine the mucosa (lining) of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. These are common locations of many important gastrointestinal diseases such as reflux disease, hiatus hernia, oesophageal and stomach cancers, oesophageal strictures, stomach and duodenal ulcers and coeliac disease.
A gastroscopy can check what’s causing your digestive symptoms, such as difficulties swallowing or pain when swallowing, indigestion, heartburn or stomach pain that does not go away.
The procedure
investigation of oesophageal and gastric symptoms
GASTROSCOPY IS PERFORMED AT SOUTHERN ENDOSCOPY CENTRE
What is a gastroscopy for?
What is a gastroscopy for?
Gastroscopy examines the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum — common locations for many important gastrointestinal diseases, including reflux disease, hiatus hernia, oesophageal and stomach cancers, oesophageal strictures, stomach and duodenal ulcers, and coeliac disease. Your specialist may take a biopsy (small tissue samples), most commonly to diagnose coeliac disease or to test for Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that is a common cause of duodenal and gastric ulcers. Occasionally a biopsy is taken to distinguish between benign and malignant tissue.
Why is a gastroscopy done?
Why is a gastroscopy done?
Gastroscopy helps your doctor evaluate symptoms including persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. It is an excellent test for finding and treating the cause of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract, and is more accurate than X-rays or barium tests for detecting inflammation, ulcers and tumours of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum.
What is the procedure for a gastroscopy?
What is the procedure for a gastroscopy?
Your doctor uses a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has its own lens and light source, and views the images on a video monitor. The endoscope is passed through your mouth into the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It doesn't interfere with your breathing. The procedure generally takes about ten minutes, though it can take longer if you require any endoscopic treatment during the test. This is also referred to as upper GI endoscopy or oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD).
How does gastroscopy testing work?
How does gastroscopy testing work?
Gastroscopy requires the stomach to be empty to provide the best possible views. We diagnose abnormalities by direct inspection and confirm the findings by biopsy and microscopic examination. Gastroscopy is also used to treat conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract — your doctor can pass instruments through the endoscope to treat many abnormalities with little or no discomfort, for example stretching a narrowed area, removing polyps, or stopping bleeding.
How should I prepare for the procedure?
How should I prepare for the procedure?
The best and safest way to do the test is on an empty stomach, so you should have nothing to eat or drink, including water, for approximately six hours before the examination. If you take essential medications you may be able to take them with small sips of water, after consulting the specialist performing your gastroscopy.
It is very important that you tell your doctor up to five days in advance about any medications you take. You might need to adjust your usual dose for the examination, or stop certain medications such as iron tablets or blood thinners like warfarin. Discuss any allergies to medications, as well as medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.
Also let your doctor know if you require antibiotics before dental procedures, because you might need antibiotics before a gastroscopy as well.
What can I expect during a gastroscopy?
What can I expect during a gastroscopy?
Before your examination a nurse will ask you some questions about your health and the medications you are taking.
Gastroscopy is performed in a fully equipped theatre. You may have your gastroscopy with either a local anaesthetic spray to numb the back of your throat, or with sedation to make you sleepy. If you have sedation you will be given additional oxygen into your nostrils throughout the procedure, and a probe will be placed on your finger to monitor your blood oxygen levels and heart rate. You will lie on your side while your specialist passes the endoscope through your mouth.
What happens after the gastroscopy?
What happens after the gastroscopy?
You will be taken to the recovery room where you will be monitored until the effects of the medication have worn off. Your doctor will then explain the results of the examination, although you will wait up to five days for the results of any biopsies.
If you have had a sedative, even if you feel alert afterwards, your judgement and reflexes may be impaired for the rest of the day. It is important that someone drives you home and remains with you. It is also unsafe to drive, operate machinery, make important decisions or drink alcohol for 24 hours.
It is very important that you tell your doctor up to five days in advance about any medications you take. You might need to adjust your usual dose for the examination, or stop certain medications such as iron tablets or blood thinners like warfarin. Discuss any allergies to medications, as well as medical conditions such as heart or lung disease.
Also let your doctor know if you require antibiotics before dental procedures, because you might need antibiotics before a gastroscopy as well.
What are possible complications of gastroscopy?
What are possible complications of gastroscopy?
Complications can occur but are rare when the test is performed by doctors who are specially trained and experienced in this procedure. A mild sore throat may be experienced for a day or so. Bleeding can occur at a biopsy site or where a polyp was removed, but is usually minimal and rarely requires follow-up. Other complications include a reaction to the sedative used, perforation (a tear in the gastrointestinal tract lining), and complications from underlying heart or lung disease.
It is important to recognise the early signs of possible complications. If you have a fever after the test, trouble swallowing, or increasing throat, chest or abdominal pain, tell your doctor immediately.
Have more questions?
If you still have any questions about the procedure, the reasons for doing it, any alternative tests, the costs, or insurance coverage do not hesitate to contact us.
get in touch
Ask your GP to refer you to one of our specialists, or contact us to discuss your options and arrange a consultation.
