Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, i.e. gastroscopy

This is an examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract where a video camera is used to examine the oesophagus, stomach, and beginning of the duodenum via the mouth.

If necessary, local anaesthesia will be performed on the pharynx prior to the procedure. The examination generally lasts for a couple of minutes. On the day of the examination, you must not have eaten for at least 6 hours before the procedure (we certainly recommend not eating or drinking anything on the same day before the procedure). During the procedure, it is possible to take tissue samples, and perform treatment procedures, if necessary (see taking a biopsy, polypectomy, dilation, bougieing, and ligation of oesophageal varices).

Inform the staff performing the examination of any medications you take.