Endoscopy Patient Information

What is Endoscopy?

Endoscopy is a medical procedure in which a computerized camera system is used to examine the inside of your alimentary or gastrointestinal tract. Endoscopy for examination of the esophagus (food pipe) stomach and
part of small intestine is called Gastroscopy or upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Examination of the large intestine is called Colonoscopy. biopsy (tiny piece of tissue) may be taken for further laboratory analysis from any abnormal growth discovered or suspicious looking part of the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures may be performed in accordance to your disease condition. At all times the medical team monitors
your well being and safety by measuring your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels etc.

What are the benefits of Endoscopy?
Accurate diagnosis of your digestive complaints to guide appropriate treatment. Endoscopic treatment e.g. removing
any swallowed foreign objects. Screening and early diagnosis of digestive tract cancers. Cancer patients can be monitored
using Endoscopy so that any recurrence can be detected early. Monitoring your response to treatment e.g. in peptic ulcer
disease, reflux disease.

What are the Risks of Endoscopy?
Complications are generally rare in endoscopy but may include:

• Bleeding from the site of a biopsy or polyp removal.
• A tear (perforation) through the lining of the stomach or intestinal wall.
• Reaction to the sedative drugs.
• Aspiration (inhaling) of food or fluids into the lungs.
• Additional procedures maybe required to deal with the complications if they occur.

How is endoscopy performed?

At St Marks Surgery we believe that the endoscopic procedure should be as pain free and least distressing and
discomforting as possible. A combination of drugs is used to put you to light sleep, eliminate pain and to relive anxiety and distress. A camera tube is then inserted through the mouth for gastroscopy or the anal canal for colonoscopy. The images are then relayed to a screen for interpretation by the doctor.

Who should do endoscopy?

Endoscopy is performed to evaluate and diagnose patients with a variety of gastrointestinal or digestive health.
complaints such as: