Diagnostic Endoscopy
Pre-Operative preparation:
As for a general anaesthetic; patients require to fast for 6 hours prior to the examination
Procedure:
An endoscope is a flexible tube with a light and camera to allow examination of the upper part of the gut. The endoscope is passed, through the mouth, into the gullet (oesophagus), stomach and duodenum. Tissue samples (biopsies) may be taken to send to the laboratory to determine the nature of any abnormality seen. Samples may also be taken to analyse for the presence of helicobacter bacteria, which are important in causing excess acid production in the stomach.
Sedation:
Some patients elect not to have any sedation and undergo the procedure with local anaesthetic spray to the throat. Alternatively others have the procedure performed after the administration of an intravenous sedative.
Post Op:
It is likely that your endoscopist will be able to tell you what was found straight away after the procedure but the results of any biopsies are likely to take up to a week before they are available. If you have had local anaesthetic throat spray it is not advisable to eat or drink anything hot for an hour after the procedure as you may be unaware of just how hot something is and may burn yourself. If you have had sedation you should not drive or use any complicated machinery for 24 hours after the procedure.
Most patients are able to go home shortly after the procedure and complications after an endoscopy are rare. Some patients will experience a sore throat and others a feeling of bloating, both of these are transient. The most worrying complication of the procedure is perforation of the gullet or stomach, as above this is extremely rare after diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy but if you do experience severe pain or a fever after the procedure contact us immediately on 0333 240 0421.
OPC Code:
G6500
