What is a Gastroscopy?
During a Gastroscopy your endoscopist passes a long flexible tube containing a camera and a
light through your mouth, over the back of your tongue, down your oesophagus (gullet), into
your stomach and the first part of the small bowel (duodenum). This allows your endoscopist to
view the lining of these organs.
Why would I need this procedure?
A Gastroscopy will help your doctor to find out why you are having symptoms and make a
diagnosis. If it is related to your upper GI tract it will give your endoscopist a clear view of the
lining of upper digestive tract and allows your endoscopist to take tissue samples (biopsies) if
necessary.
What should I do before I come into hospital?
For the gastroscopy to be successful your stomach needs to be empty. It is important that you
do not have anything to eat for at least six hours before your procedure and only drink water
until two hours before your appointment time.
You may take your usual medication with a small amount of water or bring it with you and take it
after the test if required. If you are diabetic, your consultant will discuss your diabetic
management with you prior to your test. If you have any concerns, please contact our diabetic
liaison nurse in our Endoscopy Unit.
If you take any blood thinning medication (except aspirin) such as warfarin or clopidogrel please
contact the Endoscopy Unit for further advice as you may have to stop these drugs.
Will I need conscious sedation?
Should you choose conscious sedation injection you must be aware it is not like having a
general anaesthetic. It will make you feel relaxed and drowsy, you will be able to hear and
understand what is being said to you. The sedative is given through a cannula that will be
inserted in your arm.
Alternatively, you will be given the choice of a local anaesthetic throat spray, which numbs the
back of your throat making the procedure more comfortable.
What do I need to bring with me?
Please wear loose comfortable clothing and bring the following with you:
A list of all your medications and allergies any allergies you may have.
If having conscious sedation, bring the name and telephone number of the person who
will be collecting you. A responsible adult will need to stay with you for 12 hours following
the conscious sedation.
Reading glasses
Do not bring any valuables with you, as the trust cannot take responsibility for any losses.
What will happen when I arrive on the Endoscopy unit prior to myprocedure?
A trained nurse will review your medical history, medications and any allergies. Your blood
pressure, pulse and oxygen saturations will be taken. The nurse will explain the procedure,
discuss your preference for conscious sedation or a local anaesthetic throat spray and will give
you the opportunity to ask questions.
If you choose the conscious sedation you will have a small plastic tube (cannula) inserted into a
vein in your arm so the medication can be administered. The risks of the procedure will be
discussed and if you wish to proceed you will then be asked to sign a consent form. This is to
confirm that you understand the procedure and want to go ahead with it. You will then be taken
to a pre procedure waiting room where you will wait until you are collected and taken to the
procedure room for your gastroscopy.
What are the potential risks and side effects?
Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is an extremely safe procedure; the chances of any
complications are minimal.
Risks include:
Perforation – approximately 1 in every 10,000 procedures.
It is possible to damage the lining of upper gastrointestinal tract. An operation may be
required to mend the tear.
Bleeding – approximately 1:1000 for diagnostic procedures.
Missed pathology – this is possible if a procedure is incomplete.
Adverse effects of medications – this can usually be reversed with medication.
Other Procedures;
Polypectomy – Procedure to remove polyps from the wall of the stomach, if left in place
these can sometimes develop into cancer, depending on the type of polyp.
Haemostasis therapies – treatments used to stop bleeding.
What happens during the gastroscopy?
A gastroscopy takes approximately 10 minutes. Any dentures will need to be removed before
the procedure begins. You will be asked to lie on your left side. You will be given oxygen nasally
via a small sponge that sits in your nostril. The nurses will monitor you closely during the
procedure and will observe your pulse and oxygen saturations.
Before the gastroscopy starts you will be given the local anaesthetic throat spray and/or
conscious sedation injection depending on your choice. A mouth guard is placed in your mouth
prior to passing the gastroscope. Your endoscopist will ask you to swallow to allow the
gastroscope to pass into your oesophagus and down towards your stomach.
You may cough at this point any saliva in your mouth will be suctioned away by a nurse. In
order to see the lining of the stomach and duodenum, air will be gently blown through the
gastroscope. This can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable giving you a bloated feeling.
What happens after the procedure?
After a gastroscopy with conscious sedation you will be taken to the recovery area for a
minimum of 30 minutes to one hour until you are fully awake. The nurse will monitor your pulse
and blood pressure regularly.
If you have the local anaesthetic throat spray you will be in recovery for approximately 10
minutes for the nurse to record your blood pressure and discharge you. Please note that if the
endoscopist has taken oesophageal biopsies you will have to stay in recovery for 30 minutes to
ensure you are not bleeding.
The back of your throat may feel sore for the rest of the day and you may feel a little bloated. If
you had the sedation you may feel tired.
When you are ready to go home the nurse or endoscopist will discuss the results of your
gastroscopy with you in a private room. If you wish to have a family member/friend present
please inform the nurse.
After your Gastroscopy if you develop any of the following symptoms you need to consult a
doctor immediately:
• Vomiting blood
• Trouble swallowing
• Severe abdominal pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chest pains
• Abdominal distension
• Bowel motions turn black
What can I expect following conscious sedation?
The effects of sedation can last up to 24 hours.
You will need a responsible adult (aged 18+) to collect you from the Endoscopy Unit and
stay with you for at least 12 hours after your test.
You must not drive a car/motorbike, operate machinery (including using your cooker),
drink alcohol.
You should not look after any young children alone.
You should not take sleeping tablets.
You should not sign a legal document within 24 hours of having a sedative.
We advise you to go home and rest.
You can eat a light diet, drink as normal.
You can take your usual medication.