Gastroscopy in Melbourne

A gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract that is performed at a day hospital. This procedure allows doctors to observe and inspect the insides of your oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of your small intestine (duodenum) for any abnormalities. Gastroscopies also enable doctors to obtain tissue samples or a biopsy, which is later tested in a laboratory to determine the presence of things such as infections, cancers, and other health issues.

Gastroscopy is used to investigate the causes of symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, heartburn, suspected ulcers, nausea, vomiting, iron deficiency and others. During a gastroscopy, your doctor will observe the inside of your upper digestive tract for any signs of abnormalities. In many cases, a tissue sample (biopsy) is taken during a gastroscopy for further testing in a laboratory. This can determine whether you have infections, diagnose abnormal tissue growth, and confirm conditions such as coeliac disease and cancer.

Gastroscopy is used to find abnormalities in your esophagus, stomach and upper part of your small intestine (duodenum). This can include anything from inflammation, reflux oesophagitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, coeliac disease, cancers, Barrett’s oesophagus and others.

With a gastroscopy, you should expect to undergo a period of fasting prior to the procedure. The exact details on how to prepare for your gastroscopy will be provided by your doctor upon making your gastroscopy appointment.

In a gastroscopy procedure, you will be instructed to lie down on your side and be administered anaesthetic in the form of a sedative injection so you won’t feel any pain. You may also occasionally have numbing spray applied in your throat and a mouthpiece to keep your mouth open during the gastroscopy.

Your doctor will then insert a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera attached to the end (known as an endoscope) into your mouth, down your esophagus, stomach and into the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). This camera will transmit images onto a video monitor, which your doctor will observe to carry out the gastroscopy. Your doctor will observe any abnormalities and may need to take tissue samples for Helicobacter or any observed abnormalities.

A gastroscopy can last anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes but can be longer if additional procedures are needed such as taking tissue samples (biopsies).

Because of the anaesthetic, you will initially feel drowsy and should not be driving for the next 24 hours. This is why it is recommended to have someone accompany you to your gastroscopy and take you home after it is finished.

As a guideline, if your gastroscopy is in the morning, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight before your procedure.

If your gastroscopy is later in the afternoon, it is required that you don’t eat anything 6 hours before your procedure, and don’t drink anything 2-3 hours before your procedure.

However, your doctor will provide you with the exact and more detailed information about your fasting requirements before your gastroscopy procedure.