Endoscopy involves the use of a flexible video instrument to examine the upper intestinal tract including the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The procedure is commonly undertaken if your doctor suspects that you have inflammation, ulceration or other abnormality of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum.
You should not smoke or have solid food for 8 hours, but clear fluids are allowed up to 4 hours before your procedure – after this you should be "NIL BY MOUTH" (nothing at all to eat or drink).
At the beginning of the procedure your throat may be sprayed with a local anaesthetic, and you will be given a sedative by injection into a vein to make you more comfortable. The procedure will take between 10-15 minutes and you will be sleeping for about a half-hour afterwards.
The endoscope is a flexible tube about 9 mm in diameter and will be passed via your mouth. It allows full colour inspection of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. It also allows biopsies to be taken from the stomach, small bowel and other areas.
If you have serious heart or chest problems, special precautions need to be taken to reduce any possible risks.
You should therefore inform your doctor of any serious illness of any nature. The precautions taken will usually include providing oxygen during the procedure and/or monitoring the heart and oxygen levels during the procedure.
It is important to tell your doctor about use of any blood-thinning medications (e.g. aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor fish oil, warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban).
Gastrointestinal endoscopy is usually simple and safe. It is unlikely to cause problems but rarely patients may have a reaction to the sedation or damage to the oesophagus, including perforation at the time of examination.
Bleeding is a rare complication following upper endoscopy and biopsy.
Damage to loose, decayed teeth or dental bridges rarely can occur. Such complications are extremely rare.
Full details of all possible rare complications can be discussed with your doctor before the procedure.
Unit 2-3, Westpac House
3276 Mt Lindesay Hwy
(formerly Beaudesert Rd)
BROWNS PLAINS QLD 4118
Phone: (07) 3809 2893
Fax: (07) 3809 2895
Mobile: 0481 394 818
Office hours:
7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday to Friday
(excluding public holidays)
