Gastroscopy

Overview What to Expect Our Expertise & Doctors FAQ

What is a gastroscopy?

gastroscopy-stomach

Gastroscopy, also known as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, is a safe and minimally invasive examination to view the lining of the oesophagus (food pipe), stomach and small intestine.

It is used to diagnose stomach problems and perform biopsies (tissue samples for further study).

How it works

In a gastroscopy, your doctor will insert a long and flexible tube called a gastroscope through your mouth and carefully push it down the oesophagus to the stomach and the small intestine.

Why do you need a gastroscopy?

Your doctor may recommend a gastroscopy for the following reasons:

Diagnostic examination

If you have the following symptoms, your doctor may recommend a gastroscopy:

Nausea
Vomiting
Heartburn
Difficulty swallowing
Upper abdominal pain that does not go away
Unexplained weight loss
Bloating

Routine screening

If you have a history of ulcers or polyps, a gastroscopy allows your doctor to:

Screen for stomach cancer
Check any abnormal findings that showed up on previous CT scans or X-ray tests

Treatment

Your doctor may use a gastroscopy to:

Stop any bleeding from ulcers
Remove a foreign body you might have swallowed by accident, such as a fishbone
Remove polyps (non-cancerous growths)
Remove small stomach tumours

What are the risks and complications of a gastroscopy?

There are small risks of possible complications associated with gastroscopy. These include:

Reaction to the sedation
Burning sensation at the site of injection
Bleeding due to accidental damage to a blood vessel
Breathing difficulties
Irregular heartbeat

How do you prepare for a gastroscopy?

To prepare for a gastroscopy, you:

Should not consume any food for 6 – 8 hours before the procedure.
Should not consume any fluid 2 – 3 hours before the procedure.
Might need to stop taking medications for a period of time before the procedure.
Might want to arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and to stay with you for at least 24 hours.

Once your gastroscopy is scheduled, your doctor will provide you with more detailed advice. Learn more about preparing your bowels before a gastroscopy.

What can you expect in a gastroscopy?

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia.

Estimated duration

A gastroscopy is a short procedure that takes about 10 minutes.

Before the procedure

Your doctor:

Will administer a local anaesthetic spray to numb your throat
Will place a small plastic mouth guard in your mouth to hold it open and protect your teeth
May give you a sedative to help you relax

During the procedure

You will be asked to lie down sideways facing your left. As your doctor inserts the endoscope into your throat, you need to swallow to help it move down. This may feel uncomfortable initially, and cause you to feel sick or gag.

As the endoscope moves down the oesophagus, your doctor may:

Observe the upper digestive tract for any abnormalities through images that are transmitted from the endoscope to the monitor.
Blow air gently into the stomach to allow for a better view to detect any unusual redness, holes, lumps, blockages or other abnormalities.
Remove a biopsy (tissue sample) if your doctor detects any abnormalities. This procedure is painless and you will not feel it.

Care and recovery after a gastroscopy

Once the examination is completed, your doctor will gently pull the endoscope out through your mouth. You will rest for about 1 hour at the recovery area until the sedative begins to wear off.

Frequently asked questions

A: An endoscopy is the visual examination of body cavities using long, thin and flexible telescopes that are attached to a video monitor.

A gastroscopy is a type of endoscopy. It involves the insertion of a video scope through the mouth to examine the upper digestive tract, which includes the:

Oesophagus (food pipe)
Stomach
Duodenum (first portion of the small intestine)

A: No, you should not feel any pain or discomfort as your doctor will give you anaesthesia and sedation before the procedure. However, you may experience some discomfort if you choose not to receive any sedation.

A: A gastroscopy looks for abnormal changes in your digestive tract such as gastritis, ulcers, polyps or tumours.

If an abnormal finding is detected, a biopsy is usually performed. In addition, a gastroscopy can be used to:

Stop upper digestive tract bleeding issues
Remove polyps during the same procedure
Remove foreign items you may have accidentally swallowed, such as fish bones

Why choose Mount Elizabeth Hospitals?

Mount Elizabeth Hospitals are established private hospitals in Singapore. Our experienced gastroenterologists are supported by modern facilities and a dedicated team of nurses.

We cater to a wide range of conditions related to the stomach and digestive system. We will guide you through the entire gastroscopy procedure and recovery process with your comfort and well-being in mind.

Estimated cost

Private healthcare can be affordable. Use our Hospital Bill Estimator to determine the estimated cost of this procedure. If you have hospital insurance, find out how you can use your insurance.

Our gastroenterologists and general surgeons

Mount Elizabeth Hospitals have a team of more than 20 skilled and experienced gastroenterologists and general surgeons to treat digestive conditions. We focus on achieving an accurate diagnosis the first time so you will receive the right treatment as soon as possible.

Please check with your insurance provider for more information, and for their most up-to-date list of panel doctors.

^Specialists may qualify to be on the Extended Panel (EP). You may enjoy selected panel benefits depending on your policy and riders.

0 LISTINGS

{previous}

{next}

This page has been reviewed by our medical content reviewers.

Make an Appointment

Need help?

For enquiries, please call
+65 6250 0000 (Orchard) or +65 6898 6898 (Novena)

For appointment bookings, please WhatsApp
+65 8111 7777 (Orchard) or +65 8111 5777 (Novena)

Jump To

Gastroscopy

What is a gastroscopy?

How it works

Why do you need a gastroscopy?

Diagnostic examination

Routine screening

Treatment

What are the risks and complications of a gastroscopy?

How do you prepare for a gastroscopy?

What can you expect in a gastroscopy?

Estimated duration

Before the procedure

During the procedure

Care and recovery after a gastroscopy

Frequently asked questions

Why choose Mount Elizabeth Hospitals?

Estimated cost

Our gastroenterologists and general surgeons

Can a Gastroscopy or Colonoscopy Help Prevent Cancer?

Can Gastric and Digestive Problems Cause Chest Pain?

What Happens During a Gastroscopy?

Need help?

Gastroscopy

What is a gastroscopy?

How it works

Why do you need a gastroscopy?

Diagnostic examination

Routine screening

Treatment

What are the risks and complications of a gastroscopy?

How do you prepare for a gastroscopy?

What can you expect in a gastroscopy?

Estimated duration

Before the procedure

During the procedure

Care and recovery after a gastroscopy

Frequently asked questions

Why choose Mount Elizabeth Hospitals?

Estimated cost

Our gastroenterologists and general surgeons

RELATED ARTICLES

Can a Gastroscopy or Colonoscopy Help Prevent Cancer?

Can Gastric and Digestive Problems Cause Chest Pain?

What Happens During a Gastroscopy?

Need help?

Sign up for the latest health tips and articles!