Gastroscopy is also known as oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD). It is a specialized endoscopic examination where a small fiberoptic scope is passed through your mouth, down your food tube( oesophagus) into your stomach and down to your duodenum( first part of the small intestines). It is very accurate as your stomach can be well seen. It is usually done for persistent symptoms such as gastric discomfort, reflux symptoms, difficulty swallowing, or symptoms suggestive of bleeding or ulcer ( i.e. black stools, anemia etc). Common problems such as gastritis, polyps ,ulcer or even cancer can be diagnosed. There is a small channel which we can use to stop ulcer bleeding ( via clipping or injection) or use forceps to biopsy and remove polyps. Very often if there is gastritis, we can also take some tissue to check for a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori ( H Pylori).Once detected, this bug can be treated with triple therapy .If left untreated, it can contribute to ulcers, gastritis or even more serious conditions.

Gastroscopy is easily performed with a local anaesthetic spray to the back of the throat and with or without sedation. It is a comfortable day procedure and usually takes 10mins approximately on average. It is a safe procedure with small risk only of bleeding, perforation 1:10,000. After the procedure, the patient is then given a report and allowed to go home ( preferably accompanied).There is an alternative way to assess the stomach called a Barium meal. However, Barium meal is not as accurate and cannot biopsy nor remove polyps, hence it is not routine practice to do one. The only preparation required is to fast for 6 hours before the procedure, and to inform your Doctor if you are on anticoagulation/ blood-thinners ( i.e. Aspirin, cardioprin, ticlid,warfarin,plavix etc)