Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy

You will be asleep under sedation by an anaesthetist during your procedure. Under vision via a monitor screen, a thin flexible camera is passed down the oesophagus into the stomach and the first part of small intestine (duodenum). Small tissue samples called biopsies may be taken and sent to the lab for testing to help diagnose certain conditions. Reasons for a gastroscopy may include:

  • Abdominal discomfort or pain
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Swallowing difficulties
  • Reflux or heartburn
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Anaemia (low blood count) or bleeding from the gut
  • Check for ulcers
  • Check for Helicobacter pylori infection
  • Inflammation of the oesophagus

    • In expert hands, a gastroscopy is considered a very safe procedure with less than 1 in 10,000 patients experiencing any adverse events due to the procedure.