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Gastroscopy

General SurgeryGastroenterology Hepatology

Gastroscopy, or Endoscopy or OGD, is a medical examination method. It involves inserting a flexible and bendable fibre-optic scope (endoscope) through the patient's mouth and entering the oesophagus, stomach, and duodenum to examine the condition of these organs.

Uses of Gastroscopy

The primary function of gastroscopy is to assist doctors in diagnosing or treating diseases in the upper gastrointestinal tract of patients.

Diagnosing Diseases

Gastric Ulcers and Duodenal Ulcers	Direct observation of ulcer location, size, and severity.
Gastritis	Examining whether the gastric mucosa is inflamed and the extent of inflammation.
Oesophageal Inflammation	Checking for damage or inflammation in the oesophagus, such as esophagitis or oesophageal diverticulum.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)	Observing the valve functioning between the oesophagus and stomach.
Gastric or Oesophageal cancer	Detecting and evaluating potential tumours, polyps, abnormal blood vessels, or other abnormal lesions.

Therapeutic Procedures

Biopsy Sampling	Through gastroscopy, doctors can directly obtain tissue samples for biopsy, confirming and assessing the severity of diseases.
Surgery	Gastroscopy can also be used for therapeutic procedures, such as removing excess tissue or stopping bleeding.

Gastroscopy Procedure

Preparation
Patients must fast in advance, typically not eating for six to eight hours before the examination. Doctors may advise stopping certain medications, especially anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs.
Anesthesia and Sedation:
Local anaesthesia may be applied to the throat with a throat spray to alleviate discomfort. Sedation, either orally or intravenously, is commonly used as needed.
Insertion of Endoscope:
The endoscope is inserted through the mouth, navigating the oesophagus into the stomach and duodenum. Patients may be asked to swallow the scope to facilitate its smooth passage.
Examination and Treatment:
The doctor observes the condition of the organs during the examination and performs therapeutic procedures as necessary.

When to Consider Gastroscopy?

When an individual experiences persistent symptoms such as abdominal pain, indigestion, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss, gastroscopy may be recommended to identify the underlying cause.

For individuals in high-risk groups, especially those with a family history of gastric or oesophagal cancer or individuals over the age of 50, gastroscopy may be part of routine screening.

If a person is experiencing unexplained anaemia or shows signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, a gastroscopy can help identify the source of bleeding.

For individuals known to have conditions such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Barrett's oesophagus, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), or those who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery, gastroscopy may be used for monitoring and treatment.

When other imaging studies, such as CT scans or barium swallow tests, reveal abnormalities in the upper gastrointestinal tract, gastroscopy may be recommended to provide a more detailed examination and, if necessary, conduct tissue biopsies.