Endoscopy
Endoscopy
- Open access endoscopy is a procedure schedules for patients with no prior consultation by a Gastroenterologist. This modality of testing or direct access to test has shown to have multiple advantages where there is less waiting time for patients and easy access to specialist services. Patients can obtain direct referrals from their GPs to access this test. All the referrals received through this way are screened for appropriateness of referral and patient should be reassured that appropriate follow-up will be arranged.
- Patients will be contacted by team to confirm the patient acceptance and preparedness of the procedure. An informed consent is sent through via email and or discussed at the time of the procedure. Patients will be given an opportunity to address any questions they have on this procedure and their medical problems at the time of the procedure. This procedure is not suitable for patients who are anticoagulation medications, poorly controlled diabetes, or any heart problems. In these cases, we advise to have consultation prior to the test.
- Gastroscopy: This is upper GI endoscopy to detect various gastric and small bowel conditions. Most common symptoms like uncontrolled reflux, GORD, abdominal pain, GI bleeding, weight loss and investigations for conditions like coeliac disease. This is also used as a surveillance procedure for Barrett’s oesophagus, Intestinal Metaplasia of the stomach. In these conditions patients need to have this procedure on 2-3 yearly basis.
- How is this procedure performed: Gastroscopy is a procedure done using an endoscope, this is a thin, long and flexible tube with a ‘video camera’ at its tip. This endoscope is passed through the mouth into the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and first, second and occasionally to third part of the small intestine. It allows us to inspect these areas and perform other procedures, such as biopsies.
- This procedure is performed under light sedation.
- Minimum of 4 hours nil by mouth is recommended. Patients who are having diabetes prolonged fasting times may be recommended. Individualised care plan will be discussed with patients if required prior to the test. An empty stomach is essential for a safe and accurate examination. Patients are recommended nothing to eat for six hours before the gastroscopy.
- Medications particularly like blood-thinning medications such as aspirin products, clopidogrel (Plavix®), ticagrelor (Brilinta®), warfarin, rivaroxaban (Xarelto®), apixaban (Eliquis®) and dabigatran (Pradaxa®), as well as any diabetes medications or insulin may required to be temporarily ceased before the test. Most of the time, the diabetic medication dose may be adjusted prior to the test. If there are any allergies, it is important that you mention at the time of the test.
- We encourage that you mention all your medical problems prior to the test and if you are having CPAP machine at home, please bring this with you for the test, you might need this in recovery.
- This procedure is very safe and minimal complications, like nausea and vomiting, faintness, or dizziness, especially when you start to move around and uncommon complications include 1 person in every 1,00 will experience bleeding from the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and duodenum where a lesion or polyp was removed. This is usually minor and can usually be stopped through the endoscope. Rarely, surgery is needed to stop bleeding. Rest of the procedure and anaesthetic related questions will be discussed at the time of the procedure.
- Total procedure time would be 15-20 minutes.
- All these procedures are mostly performed in day care units, where patient’s will be discharged the same day.
- Post discharge instructions will be given at the end of the procedure.
- Responsible Adult should be accompanied to take you home and to take care of you for the next 24 hours.
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