Gastroscopy

What Is Gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy refers to medical examinations of the gullet (esophagus), stomach, and duodenum.  A flexible, thin fiber-optic instrument is inserted through the mouth and enables the doctor to see if there are infections or ulcers along the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.   

Usually a painless procedure, gastroscopy is performed under local anaesthesia as an out-patient treatment.  The back of the throat is first sprayed with a local anaesthetic similar to the one used by dentists.  The patient is made to lie on his or her left side while one end of the instrument is placed inside the patient’s mouth so that it may be swallowed.  The experience is much like swallowing a large chunk of food. 

Sometimes the endoscopist might need to put some air inside the stomach to conduct the gastroscopy effectively.  Although each case is different, gastroscopic examinations typically last between 10 and 30 minutes.