Surgical & Endoscopy
CARE CONSULTING
GASTROSCOPY
A thin, flexible camera tube is used under sedation to examine the lining of the upper gastrointestinal tract(esophagus, stomach, duodenum),and biopsies will be taken if indicated.
Patient Information:
The information here is a guide only and does not replace my discussions with you on the day of consultation.
Gastroscopy
No bowel preparation is needed for checking the stomach.
You will be advised to fast prior to the procedure, and the updated details will be given to you from my rooms or nursing team depending on timing of procedure.
This procedure is used if you experience these problems:
-Heart burn and nausea
-Pain in tummy
-If you experience difficulty swallowing
-Bleeding
These problems can be caused by: Ulcers, inflammation, narrowing or not commonly cancer
What happens during the procedure?
-The camera will be checking the food pipe, stomach and beginning of small bowel
-The pictures will be taken during the procedure for confirmation of findings.
-If there is an inflamed/ suspicious tissue a small piece of tissue may be taken. This is painless.
-If I find a bleeding spot then electric heat will be used to control and teat the bleeding.
-In case there are small growths on the lining of stomach I will take small piece of these which will be sent to the lab to be assessed under microscope.
-Narrowing of the food pipe or other passages will be assessed and can be treated with stretching or usage of tubes(STENT) made of metal or plastic.
What are the risks of this procedure?
Uncommon risks:
-bleeding from the oesophagus, stomach or upper small bowel as a result of the procedure
-Heart or lung problems such as chest infection may occur.
Rare risks:
-A hole may occur in the oesophagus, stomach or upper small bowel, and often surgery will be required.
-procedure cannot be completed due to technical difficulties.
-Severe allergy to medication may occur
After the procedure:
-I will notify you of the findings after you wake up from the procedure
- You generally can have normal diet and there are no restrictions after sedation
- Your heart rate, breathing rate, Blood pressure and temperature and your blood oxygen levels will be checked.
-You must not drive, operate machinery, sign legal documents or make important decision for 24 hours after the sedative anaesthetic
- You must have a responsible person to escort you home and stay with you for the 24 hours after the procedure
What costs to be incurred from this practice?
There will be No out of pocket expenses for your endoscopy from my service. Your health fund will be billed directly. When you present to my rooms for consultation, this is not covered by your private health funds. You will get some of the money for outpatient consultations back from Medicare.
There may be an out pocket expenses for anaesthetic services depending on your level of cover.Please contact Downs anaesthetics for further details. should ask them ahead of time about this cost. You will also have to pay any hospital excesses that your policy dictates. We will provide you with contact details after consultation so you could check ahead of time.
