GASTROSCOPY

What Is Gastroscopy / Upper Endoscopy? 

Upper endoscopy enables the physician to look inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine). The procedure might be used to discover the reason for swallowing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, reflux, bleeding, indigestion, abdominal pain, or chest pain.  Upper endoscopy is also called EGD, which stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (eh-SAH-fuh-goh-GAS-troh-doo-AH-duh-NAH-skuh-pee).

How Do I Prepare For My Gastroscopy?

Your stomach and duodenum must be empty for the procedure.  You will be given instructions in advance that will explain what you need to do to prepare for your exam.

You must arrange for an escort  to come with you and drive you home after your procedure because your judgment and reflexes may be impaired due to the sedatives you will receive.  This person should plan to remain in the Endoscopy Center waiting area throughout your procedure and recovery.  This is typically 1½-2 hours from your check-in time.  Your procedure may be postponed if you do not have an escort to drive you.

Before preparing for the exam, please make sure you have notified the physician performing your exam of your complete medication list and any of the following:

• An allergy or problematic reaction to any medication or latex rubber.

• A personal history of diabetes including the medications you take for it.

• A personal history of heart disease, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, heart murmur, rheumatic fever, glaucoma, COPD, endocarditis, or problems with your blood clotting.

• A prosthetic (replacement) heart valve, any joint replacement, or surgically placed
  blood vessel graft; pacemaker or automatic internal defibrillator.

• Tell your doctor if you could be pregnant.

How Do You Perform A Gastroscopy?

For the gastroscopy, you will lie on your left side on the examination bed.  You will be given intravenous medications to make you drowsy, relaxed and comfortable during your exam.  Right before the procedure the physician will spray your throat with a numbing agent that will help prevent gagging.  You will then be asked to swallow a thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope (EN-doh-skope).  The endoscope transmits an image of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of these organs. The scope also blows air into the stomach; this expands the folds of tissue and makes it easier for the physician to examine the stomach.

The physician can see abnormalities, like inflammation or bleeding, through the endoscope that don't show up well on x-rays.  The physician may take biopsies (small samples of tissue) or perform additional therapy as indicated (injection therapy, cautery, or dilation) during the exam.  

Possible complications of upper endoscopy include bleeding and puncture of the stomach lining, however, such complications are rare.  Most people will probably have nothing more than a mild sore throat after the procedure.

The procedure takes 5 to 20 minutes. Because you will be sedated, you will need to remain at the endoscopy facility for approximately 30 minutes after your procedure.  You may not drive, operate machinery, sign legal documents, or drink alcoholic beverages for the rest of the day following your procedure.  You may resume your usual activities the day after your procedure.  Read your discharge instructions carefully.

Where Do I Go For My Gastroscopy?

Your instruction sheet will provide you specific information regarding the location and date of your procedure along with your arrival time. 

Olympia (Click here for location and directions to facility)

Shelton (Click here for location and directions to facility)

How Do I Get My Test Results?

Your doctor will review written discharge instructions that include what was found during your procedure, as directed, with you and/or your escort before you leave the endoscopy center.  If a sample of tissue (biopsy) was collected during your colonoscopy, it will be sent to a lab for further analysis.  Pathology results will be mailed to you within 14 business days.  Your referring provider will also receive a copy.  Call our office if you have not received your test results within 3 weeks.