Gastroscopy & Biopsy

Procedure:

A gastroscopy is a procedure that is applied by using a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope to look inside the esophagus (gullet), stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum).
It’s also sometimes referred to as an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
The endoscope has a light and a camera at one end.
Gastroscopy may be used to diagnose a certain condition This allows the endoscopist to see any unusual redness, holes, lumps, blockages or other abnormalities.
If abnormalities are detected, a tissue sample (biopsy) can be removed and sent to a laboratory for closer examination under a microscope. Patient won’t feel anything while the sample is removed.
A gastroscopy often takes less than 15 minutes, & takes longer only if it’s being used to treat a condition.
Patients are sedated while endoscopy, & shouldn’t drive home by themselves

Preparation:

Patients will be told whether or not they need to stop taking any of their medications beforehand. Medicines as insulin or metformin, any blood-thinning medication (used to prevent blood clots), such as low-dose aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel patients will be instructed to stop taking up to 2 weeks before the procedure, this is because the medication can mask some of the problems that a gastroscopy needs to find.
It’s also important that the stomach should be empty during a gastroscopy, so the whole area can be seen clearly.
Patients are usually asked not to eat anything for 6 to 8 hours before the procedure, and to stop drinking 2 to 3 hours before the procedure.