Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy is a day procedure involving visual examination of the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and the first part of your intestine.

This is performed by passing a small bore long flexible telescope (gastroscope) through your mouth while you are under sedation.

The doctor will be able to look for any abnormalities which may be present. If necessary, biopsies can be taken during the examination. Therapeutic procedures such as dilatation, stenting, polypectomy, variceal ligation and argon plasma coagulation can also occur if needed. 

The procedure takes about 15 to 30 minutes. You can usually go home after about 2 hours.

Gastroscopy is often used interchangeably with other terms such as endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, and oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), but all refer to the same procedure.

Colonoscopy & Polypectomy

Colonoscopy is a procedure to inspect the inside of the colon (large bowel) using a thin, flexible, tube introduced via the rectum (back passage). It is performed under sedation and usually takes between 20 and 40 minutes. Biopsies (small tissue samples) can be taken and polyps (small growths) can be removed at the time if necessary. Colonoscopy is the best test to assess for bowel cancer or pre-cancerous polyps although no test is 100% accurate. 

A purging laxative is drunk the day before to clean the bowel. Sedation is given and hence a friend or relative is needed to accompany the patient on discharge.

During the procedure, polyps, cancer and inflammations are looked for. If necessary, small tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken during the examination for laboratory testing. Polyps (abnormal growths of tissue) can also be removed, using an electric snare wire.

The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. You can usually go home after about 2-3 hours. 

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection 

This is a procedure where larger polyps are removed using special equipment and tools. These procedures often take a little longer depending upon the size and location and type of polyp. If a larger polyp requiring EMR is needed, further consultation will occur to go through the details, risk and benefits. 

Capsule Endoscopy 

Capsule endoscopy (also known as pill-camera or wireless endoscopy) is designed to examine the small intestine / bowel. It is often used in patients with unexplained iron deficiency to determine if there is any bleeding in the small intestine. The test involves swallowing a capsule (about the size of a jelly bean) which contains a tiny camera that takes multiple digital images as it travels through the small intestine. The images are transmitted to a data recorder worn in a harness around the waist. The capsule does not need to be retrieved as it is usually passed unnoticed into your stools. Capsule endoscopy is a day procedure. No sedation or anaesthetic is required.