It has been decided after careful medical assessment that an Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or upper endoscopy) is necessary for further evaluation and treatment of your condition. The EGD will examine your esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first part of your small intestines).

Certain problems of the upper digestive tract cannot be diagnosed or treated by X-ray. EGD may be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of these problems.

The instrument (endoscope) used for the EGD is a long, flexible rubber tube (thinner than most food that you swallow) containing a light and lens system that permits visual and photographic examination of the walls of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. It is passed by the gastroenterologist through the mouth and into the upper digestive tract. Sometimes, it may be necessary to treat certain conditions by passing instruments through the scope, e.g. .banding varices, cauterizing bleeding lesions, and dilating strictures.

The EGD usually takes about 10-20 minutes. You will be lying on your left side during the procedure. An IV will be started, and you will be given medication into the vein to make you relaxed and sleepy. Your throat will be sprayed with a Novocaine-like medicine to eliminate your gag reflex. The endoscope will not interfere with your breathing. You may experience some mild discomfort during the procedure, but the pain medication we provide should relieve this.

After the procedure, you will be kept in our recovery area for approximately 30 minutes to allow the effects of the sedative medication to wear off. You may experience a transient mild sore throat, and you may feel bloated for a short while after the procedure because of the air that was introduced into your stomach during the procedure.

Because of the sedative medication, you will not be able to drive yourself home. Even though you might feel awake and alert, the medication is still in your bloodstream, making it unsafe and illegal for you to drive yourself.

EGD is very safe, with less than 1% risk of complications. However, if complications were to occur, they may require hospitalization and possibly even surgery. The risks include;

• Perforation or a tear in the lining of your esophagus, stomach or duodenum.
• Bleeding from the site of a biopsy or polyp removal, or following dilation of a narrowed area.
• An adverse reaction to a medication used during your procedure.
• Aspiration with possible pneumonia.

For the best possible examination, it will be necessary for you to follow the pre-procedure instructions provided to you very carefully.