Endoscopy

There are many other reasons your doctor may want to perform this test and you should ask him/her about their reasons. Upper endoscopy should be performed by doctors who have received special training in this procedure, and are assisted by specially trained nurses and technicians.

Preparation

Upon arrival for your test your doctor will again review the procedure and answer any of your questions. You will be asked about any allergies or general health problems that you may have. You will then be asked to sign a consent form indicating your agreement to proceed with the test.

Most of the time EGD is performed under "conscious sedation." You will be given a combination of intravenous medications, which make you very relaxed and sleepy during the procedure. You may not remember anything about the procedure itself. Because of these medications you will not be able to drive yourself and should not sign legal documents until the next day. You will need a friend or relative to drive you home.

Examination

After signing the consent form you will put on a hospital gown and will remove any glasses, contacts, and dentures. An IV needle will be placed into a vein in your arm or hand. Fluids and medications will be administered through this IV. You will be taken into a special room for the procedure and asked to lie on your right side.

Although initially you may feel like gagging this will quickly pass and you will not feel any of the diagnostic maneuvers or treatments which may need to be performed. The endoscope will not interfere with your breathing in any way.

After carefully examining your esophagus, the endoscope will be advanced into your stomach. A small amount of air will be added to distend your stomach to gain a better view. All areas in your stomach will be examined.

Next, the endoscope is advanced through the pylorus (the opening between the You may feel some slight pressure here but should not experience any pain. The first portion of your small intestine (duodenum) is then carefully examined for any abnormalities. After this, any diagnostic or therapeutic maneuvers will be performed and the scope will be gently withdrawn from your mouth. The entire procedure usually takes between 10–30 minutes.

After the Procedure

Over the years, advances have made possible the endoscopic treatment of diseases, which in the past have required surgery. There are many useful treatments, which may be employed during EGD. Certain disorders of the gut can result in serious bleeding.

Finally, in some patients who can no longer eat in a conventional way, a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube can be placed at the time of EGD. This small feeding tube is placed through the skin and into the stomach under endoscopic control.

Diagnosis at EGD

Many times a diagnosis can be made when abnormalities are found while viewing the upper GI tract. However, it is often necessary to take a small biopsy (sample of tissue) to aid in or confirm the diagnosis. These specimens are obtained with special biopsy forceps and you cannot feel them when they are taken. Special brushes can obtain other cell samples from the lining of the upper GI tract for cytology examination.

Endoscopy Treatments

Over the years, advances have made possible the endoscopic treatment of diseases, which in the past have required surgery. There are many useful treatments, which may be employed during EGD. Certain disorders of the gut can result in serious bleeding. Varices are large "varicose veins" found in the stomach and esophagus especially in patients with liver disease.

They can rupture and cause severe bleeding. They can be treated at the time of endoscopy by injecting them with medicine (sclerotherapy) or by placing rubber bands on them. Similarly, ulcers in the stomach and duodenum and abnormal blood vessels (AVM's) can cause bleeding.

These can be treated by injecting medicine in them or by applying electricity & heat to them through a special catheter (plastic tube) at the end of the endoscope to cauterize them. Once again you cannot feel any of these treatments. Foreign bodies (batteries, coins, chicken or fish bones, etc.) that have been intentionally or accidentally swallowed may also be removed from the upper GI tract during upper endoscopy without the need for surgery.

Risks

Although upper endoscopy is a frequently used modality for diagnosing and treating a number of GI disorders, no medical technique is completely safe and there are potential complications with upper endoscopy. There is a small risk of having a reaction to the medications used for sedation or to any antibiotics that may be given prior to the procedure.

There is a small risk of bleeding from the procedure. Rarely is it necessary to give a blood transfusion or other treatments such as surgery. Bleeding is usually controlled through the endoscope. Another rare complication from EGD is perforation. This occurs when the tip of the endoscope goes through a weakened part of the gut wall resulting in a hole. This almost always requires surgery to correct but is a very uncommon complication of EGD.

Contact

To provide best health care for my patients by Viralkumar Patel

7501 Lakeview Pkwy. Ste. 260 Rowlett, TX 75088

Phone: 214-368-6707,  972-475-8183

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm