Description

What is gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy (or endoscopy) is an examination of the oesophagus (gullet or food pipe), stomach and duodenum (upper part of the small bowel) using a flexible telescope called a gastroscope.

This test can help find what’s causing your symptoms.

Benefits of a gastroscopy

Gastroscopy has the advantage over X-rays of generally being more accurate for detecting diseases, and also of allowing tissue samples or biopsies to be taken.

Preparation

You will usually be asked not to eat or drink for 6 hours before gastroscopy.

Tell your doctor before the procedure if you:

• are sensitive (allergic) to any drug or substance
• are taking blood thinning tablets such as Warfarin
• have heart valve disease
• have a pacemaker.

What happens during a gastroscopy?

A spray may be applied to the throat to numb it, and it is important that any dentures or plates are removed.

Some patients wish to have the gastroscopy without sedation, so if this applies to you please discuss this when you attend for the examination. Otherwise, you will be given a sedative injection through a vein in your arm before the procedure.

Doctors will gently insert the gastroscope through your mouth and into the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum (upper part of the small bowel).

The test usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Any discomfort at the back of the throat is minimised by using the throat spray and sedative injection, and is helped by calm deep gentle breathing during the test.

After a gastroscopy

Any sedative you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing discomfort. However, it may also affect your memory for a few hours afterwards. Even when the sedative appears to have worn off, you may find that you are unable to recall details of your discussion with the doctor and nursing staff. For this reason a relative or friend should come with you if possible.

For your personal safety following the sedated procedure, we strongly encourage a friend or relative to escort you from our hospital and drive you home.

After the sedative you should not:

• drive a car for 24 hours
• operate machinery for 24 hours
• sign any legal documents until the next day
• undertake any other activities likely to place you at risk.

The vast majority of patients having a gastroscopy with sedation do not return to work on the day of the examination.

Following the procedure you may have a slightly sore throat for up to 24 hours.

Costs of gastroscopy

• 14000 Ksh plus biopsy fee only if required.