Gastroscopy - GSBS Medical Trust Mumbai

A gastroscopy or an endoscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract (the esophagus / food pipe, stomach and duodenum) using an endoscope – a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera and a light to view the lining of these organs.

Why is it done?
A gastroscopy is used to diagnose conditions such as stomach ulcers or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. If you suffer from frequent heartburn, acidity, vomiting or have trouble swallowing, you may be asked to undergo this test by your doctor or gastroenterologist.

Documents required on the day of the test:

1) The patient's history reports
2) Doctor’s prescription
3) Latest HIV, HCV, HbsAg blood reports.

Please search for the test at the centre of your choice:

What you need to do:

1) Schedule your appointment in advance from the Centre.
2) A responsible relative or guardian should accompany the patient.
3) Patients have to sign a consent form along with the relative or guardian.

Preparation:

1) Do not eat anything for at least six hours before the procedure.
2) You can drink a small quantity of water until two hours before your appointment time. This is to ensure that your stomach is empty and the doctor has a clear view during the test.

Procedure:
1) You will be escorted into the procedure room where the other nurses helping the endoscopist will introduce themselves to you. You will have the opportunity to ask any further questions.

2) If you have dentures, you will be asked to remove them at this point. Any remaining teeth will be protected by a small plastic mouth guard which will be inserted immediately before the examination commences.

3) If you are having local anaesthetic throat spray, this will be sprayed on to the back of your throat.
The nurse looking after you will then ask you to lie on your left side and will place the oxygen monitoring probe on your finger. A drape will be placed over your clothes to protect them from saliva and other secretions.

4) The endoscopist will introduce the gastro scope into your mouth and ask you to take a big swallow when it is at the back of your throat. He or she will then advance the gastro scope carefully down your oesophagus, into your stomach and then into your duodenum.

5) Your windpipe is deliberately avoided and your breathing will be unhindered.

6) Any saliva or other secretions produced during the investigation will be removed using a small suction tube, rather like the one used at the dentist.

7) Biopsies and photographs may be taken during the procedure.

8) A gastroscopy usually takes 5 to 10 minutes but may take longer if additional procedures are required.

Reports:
Your Report will be made available between 4:30 p.m and 6:30 p.m. on the following day.
Kindly email us on info@gsbsmedicaltrust.org for more details or call the respective centre.