What does the procedure involve?
Gastroscopy at Centrum Medyczne Skopia in Kraków is an endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract. A flexible endoscope with a camera and a light source at its tip is introduced through the mouth, which makes it possible to view the oesophagus, the stomach and the duodenum.
The doctor assesses the elasticity of the walls, the appearance of the mucous membrane and of the gastric juice. The examination serves to diagnose, among others, peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum, inflammation of the mucous membrane, oesophageal varices, cancer of the oesophagus and stomach and other stomach tumours (lymphoma, GIST, NET), as well as lesions caused by chemical agents.
In everyday language „gastroscopy” covers three examinations: oesophagoscopy (the oesophagus), gastroscopy (the stomach) and duodenoscopy (the duodenum). Centrum Medyczne Skopia performs a full oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, that is EGD — an assessment of all three sections.
Gastroscopy is sometimes also a therapeutic procedure. During the examination it is possible to take samples from areas affected by disease, remove polyps or a swallowed foreign body, widen strictures of the gastrointestinal tract and stop haemorrhages. Some of these procedures require general anaesthesia, and some require the examination to be performed in hospital conditions.
A permanent element of the examination is the urease test, which detects the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in the gastric mucosa. A sample of the mucous membrane is taken in order to perform it.
Indications
- difficulty swallowing
- nausea, vomiting, belching
- heartburn and other symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux
- pain in the upper abdomen
- bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract
- sudden and unexplained weight loss
- a suspected foreign body
- diagnosis of coeliac disease
- preparation for planned surgery
- a family history of cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract (in selected cases)
Course and preparation
The examination. The patient lies on their left side with the head bent towards the chest; glasses and dentures are removed. The throat is anaesthetised and the endoscope is introduced through a mouthguard. Saliva should not be swallowed during the examination — calm, even breathing is recommended. The examination itself takes from a few to a dozen or so minutes.
Local anaesthesia. Xylocaine spray is used, which reduces the gag reflex and the discomfort caused by movements of the endoscope. The patient remains conscious.
General anaesthesia (procedural sedation). The patient is given sedative, hypnotic and analgesic medication. Please come with an accompanying person who will collect the patient about two hours after the start of the examination. Driving is not allowed on the day of the examination.
Preparation: fasting. The examination is performed on an empty stomach — nothing should be eaten or drunk for 8 hours beforehand. Before a morning examination: a light, preferably semi-liquid supper in the evening (for example yoghurt), fluids until 22:00, and nothing to eat or drink in the morning. Before an afternoon examination: a light, semi-liquid breakfast, and no food or drink for 6 hours before the examination.
Preparation: medication. Regularly taken medicines may be taken with one or two sips of water — never immediately before the examination. People taking blood-thinning medication should consult a doctor: a temporary change of dose or withdrawal of the medicine may be necessary before the examination. Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole) are stopped 10–14 days before the examination. GLP-1 and GLP-2 medicines (for example Ozempic, Mounjaro) are stopped 7 days before the examination, and in addition a liquid diet applies for 24 hours before the examination together with 6–8 hours without food or drink.
Because the body responds individually, the preparation does not always result in an empty stomach. In such a situation the examination may have to be repeated on another date.
Other examinations and procedures in this clinic
The price of this service can be found in the price list of examinations and procedures, and the date and the rules of preparation are confirmed by registration.
The information on this website is organisational and educational. A doctor decides on indications for examination or treatment after assessing the patient.
