Contents
What is a Gastroscopy? Page 3
Benefits Page 3
Risks Page 3
Alternative treatments Page 4
If you have throat spray Page 4
If you have sedation: Page 4
Gastroscopy is a test that allows the endoscopist (doctor or nurse
performing the test) to look into your upper gastro-intestinal tract.
This is done by passing a long flexible tube (gastroscope) through
your mouth, passing over your tongue to the back of your throat,
down your gullet (oesophagus), into your stomach and into the first
part of your small intestine (duodenum).
The gastroscope is connected to a television screen where pictures
of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum can be seen.
A Gastroscopy lasts approximately 5 minutes. The procedure will
be made more comfortable with throat spray to numb your throat or
conscious sedation (you will be awake but should be more relaxed).
By performing a Gastroscopy examination the cause of your
symptoms may be found and sometimes we are able to treat them
there and then.
Pictures (for your medical notes) and samples of the lining of your
stomach (biopsies) may be taken with instruments passed down a
channel in the endoscope. These procedures are pain free.
A Gastroscopy is a safe examination but there are risks you need to
be aware of.
• Occasional dental damage can occur
• Rarely (1 examination in 1000) a complication such as bleeding
or a chest infection can occur
• If you have a sedative the added risks are nausea and vomiting.
If you become over-sedated which could reduce your breathing effort and have a prolonged sedative effect.
An alternative to a Gastroscopy is a barium meal / swallow. This is
an x-ray based test, it does not provide very detailed pictures of your
oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It does not allow biopsies or
treatment to be carried out at the same time therefore you may still
require a Gastroscopy examination.
You are allowed to have sips of water up to two hours before your
examination, but nothing else. Your stomach needs to be empty
to ensure a clear view and to reduce the risk of a chest infection.
Many patients are concerned about the thought of swallowing
the endoscope. We would like to reassure you that the test is not
painful but you may experience some discomfort. You will be able
to breathe normally and swallow normally throughout.
You will be asked to sign a consent form and this will be discussed
with you prior to your procedure to enable you to ask any relevant questions for the Gastroscopy.
You should not eat or drink for 90 minutes following throat spray administration to allow the numbness to wear off.
This should relax you but will not put you to sleep, it is not a
General Anaesthetic. Sedation may cause loss of memory and
judgement for 24 hours.
If you are discharged home you must have a responsible adult
with you until the following morning. For 24 hours you must not:
1. Drive
2. Drink alcohol
3. Operate machinery
4. Sign legal documents
Access from the main hospital multistorey car park
We are located in Area 6 - Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Unit,
highlighted in orange on the main hospital map. Follow the signs for the
Main Hospital up the escalator/lift towards Area 6, second corridor on the
left. Follow the signs down the link corridor, exit to the right via the side
door (external) which is signposted for Patient Entrance to Reception.
Access for drop off/collection only & disability parking
Enter via East Park Drive and follow the road up the hill, take the
second left signposted for Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Unit Drop off only, follow the road round to the right.
