Gastroscopy

Before the examination, you must sign a consent form for the procedure.

Gastroscopy examines the upper gastrointestinal tract using a flexible optical instrument (gastroscope) to evaluate the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

During the Examination:

You must remove dental prostheses and lip and tongue jewelry during the procedure. The stomach must be empty for the gastroscopy, so you should not eat for 6-8 hours before the examination (the recommended last meal is the evening before). Still, you may drink clear water (half a glass) up to 4 hours before the procedure.

During the examination, you will lie on your left side. A bite block will be placed between your teeth and lips to protect the gastroscope.

A flexible instrument—the gastroscope—will be inserted through the mouth into the stomach. The procedure is not painful, but it may be uncomfortable due to the inevitable gag reflex associated with it.

The gag reflex can be avoided or significantly reduced if you:

• Breathe through your mouth;
• Relax your upper body;
• Avoid swallowing saliva.

During the examination, air will be introduced into the stomach to improve visibility, which may create a feeling of fullness.

Gastroscopy does not obstruct breathing. Steady and calm breathing ensures a serene and smooth procedure.

The examination usually lasts 5 to 10 minutes, sometimes a bit longer. The duration of the gastroscopy may be extended if biopsies are taken or therapeutic procedures are performed during the examination.

Gastroscopy can diagnose and treat problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

It is often used to find the causes of unexplained symptoms, such as:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia);
• Unexplained weight loss;
• Abdominal pain or chest pain not related to heart disease;
• Persistent vomiting for unknown reasons;
• Bleeding.

During gastroscopy, the following conditions can be diagnosed:

• Inflammation and ulcers of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum;
• Esophageal varices;
• Diaphragmatic hernia;
• Tumors (both benign and malignant);
• Erosions;
• Celiac disease;
• Crohn’s disease.

Gastroscopy is also a therapeutic procedure during which it is possible to:

• Remove a polyp;
• Control bleeding;
• Take a biopsy;
• Dilatate strictures (narrowings);
• Treat esophageal varices;
• Remove a foreign body.

After the Examination

After the gastroscopy, you may feel mild discomfort in your throat and fullness in your stomach due to the air introduced during the procedure. Most symptoms will resolve within a few hours. Unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise, you may eat and drink immediately after the examination.

The results of the examination will be written by the doctor who performed the gastroscopy right after the procedure, and the results will be sent electronically to your treating physician. If you had biopsy samples taken, the histological results will typically be sent to your electronic health record by the pathology department of either East Tallinn Central Hospital or North Estonia Medical Centre approximately 4 weeks later.

Possible Complications

Complications from gastroscopy are extremely rare but may include:

• Bleeding after biopsies – usually minimal and does not require transfusions or surgical treatment;
• Perforation of the esophageal or gastric wall – very rare and requires surgical intervention.

If you develop a fever, severe abdominal pain, or vomit blood after the procedure, please seek immediate assistance from the emergency department.

To cancel your appointment, please call the clinic’s phone number or send your request via email.

Gastroscopy in sedation

Sedation is not general anesthesia!

Sedation is a method of anesthesia in which the patient is given medicines that cause drowsiness, calm them down, reduce fear, anxiety and pain.

Sedation should be considered for those who have a high fear of gastroscopy or a risk of not being able to control themselves during the procedure.

The risks of sedation are relatively small. However, sedation is excluded in pregnant women and in people with musculoskeletal disorders and those who are allergic to sedation medicines. The patient should not have a fever or infectious respiratory disease when entering the procedure.

Do not eat or drink for at least 6 hours before sedation gastroscopy. It is not recommended to drink alcohol on the day of sedation.

After the sedation procedure, the patient is monitored in a specialized room. The person can rest there until he or she is ready to leave the clinic in the opinion of both himself or herself and the doctor. Recovery from the procedure takes 30-60 minutes. For safety reasons, the patient should leave the clinic with an attendant and, if possible, should not be left alone for 24 hours after the procedure.

After sedation, mild drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, and gait insecurity may occur for 24 hours. It is forbidden to drive independently on the day of sedation.

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