Description of the procedure:

During the gastroscopy, a thin and flexible tube of about 1cm in diameter (gastroscope) is inserted through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The gastroscope holds a tiny camera at its end and contains an optical fiber. During the examination a light is projected through the gastroscope into the digestive tract, the video taken by the camera is projected onto a screen that the doctor can view. Should an action such as taking a biopsy is required, polypectomy or stopping a bleed, the doctor inserts the appropriate instrumentation through the gastroscope and carries out the procedure while looking at the screen.

During the procedure the patient normally lies on his left side, and a plastic shield is inserted between the teeth in order to keep the mouth open during the examination. The examination takes place under sedation, meaning light-mild sedation, thus the patient feels nothing during the examination which will begin only after the patient is sedated. As such, the patient is connected to monitoring devices throughout the examination which allow the treating staff to monitor breathing, saturation, heart rhythm and blood pressure.

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‍Duration of the procedure:

About 15 to 30 minutes.