GASTROSCOPY, VARICEAL THERAPY, OESOPHAGEAL DILATATION or PEG.

GASTROSCOPY

 

Gastroscopy involves the use of a flexible tube to examine the upper intestinal tract including the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The procedure is commonly undertaken if your doctor suspects that you have an ulcer, inflammation or other abnormality of the oesophagus (the pipe which connects the throat to the stomach), the stomach or duodenum.

 

How are you prepared?

You need to fast for six hours before the procedure. While fasting, take all your regular medications with a sip of water.   It is desirable that you are not taking any iron tablets, aspirin, clopidogrel or other blood thinners if possible.

 

Special Considerations:

If you have serious heart or chest problems special precautions need to be taken to reduce any possible risk. You should therefore inform your doctor of any serious illness of this nature. The precautions taken will usually include providing oxygen during the procedure and/or monitoring the heart and oxygen levels during the procedure.

 

What do we do?

An endoscope is a flexible tube about 9mm in diameter. It allows full colour inspection of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It also allows biopsies to be taken from the small bowel and other areas.

 

At the beginning of the procedure your throat will be sprayed with a local anaesthetic and you will be given a sedative by injection in a vein to make you more comfortable. The procedure will take between 5 and 15 minutes and you will be sleepy for about half an hour afterwards.

 

Safety and risks

Gastroscopy is usually simple and safe. It is unlikely to cause problems for patients unless they have serious heart or chest problems. 

 

Extremely rarely, individual patients may have a reaction to the sedation or damage to the oesophagus at the time of examination. The gastroscope is a complex reusable instrument, which cannot go through a heat sterilisation process. However, after each use it is thoroughly cleaned and then disinfected, using a high level disinfectant. The hospital cleans and disinfects the gastroscope according to the standards set by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia. The possibility of infection being introduced during the procedure cannot be completely ruled out, but seems extremely rare. Death is a remote possibility with any interventional procedure. However, if you wish to have full details of all possible rare complications discussed before the procedure, you should inform your doctor.

 

Afterwards

The sedative painkiller you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing any discomfort. However, it may also affect your memory for some time afterwards. Even when the sedative appears to have worn off, you may find you are unable to recall details of your discussion with your doctor. For this reason a relative or friend should come with you if possible. You must not drive or operate machinery or make major decisions for 12 hours after the test.

If after the test you have any symptoms that cause you concern, you should contact the Hospital or your own Doctor.

GASTROSCOPY, VARICEAL THERAPY, OESOPHAGEAL DILATATION or PEG INSTRUCTIONS:

 

1.                    You must fast for 6 hours before the test. When fasting have nothing to eat or drink. However, you may take medications with a sip of water.

 

                Morning Appointments

                Have nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

               

                Afternoon Appointments

                Have nothing to eat or drink after 7 am.

 

2.                   Report to the Hospital’s Day Procedure Unit at the time advised. Please bring this sheet, your referral form, relevant X-Rays and your pre-admission form if you have not already delivered these, and your Medical Insurance and Medicare details.

 

3.                   It is unsafe to drive yourself home. You must not drive or operate machinery or make major decisions for 12 hours after the test. The sedative painkiller you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing any discomfort. However, it may also affect your memory for some time afterwards. Even when the sedative appears to have worn off, you may find you are unable to recall details of your discussion with your doctor. For this reason a relative or friend should come with you if possible.

 

4.                  If you have any problems after the procedure or symptoms that cause you concern, you should contact the Hospital.

 

5.            In most instances health funds accept Riverview Endoscopy accounts for direct no-gap billing. If not, you will be given an invoice for the doctor's services. Payment will be your responsibility, but the majority of the cost will be reimbursed by Medicare and your private health fund. If paying on the day a receipt will be issued for you to claim from your health fund and Medicare. A separate account is issued by Hollywood Private Hospital for the Bed Fee. With some funds there is a $50 hospital gap (similar at all hospitals) which must be paid on the day. If biopsies are taken you will also receive an account from the Pathologist.  For most procedures an Anesthetist is also present , and a further account is raised by that doctor.

Return to Gastroscopy information page

Telephone 1800 1 74837

Riverview Endoscopy Pty Ltd

 ACN:125 199 500 ABN: 18 125 199 500

 

 

 

 

 

Presented by Dr Lindsay C MollisonRiverview Endoscopy Home Page

Disclaimer

Created 28 July 1997

Updated 26 April 2012

Comments Welcomed.