Our Mission
An Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD), also known as a gastroscopy, is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the lining of your oesophagus (food pipe), stomach, and the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). A thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera at its tip is gently passed through the mouth while you are comfortably sedated. The procedure usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and most patients can go home on the same day. If needed, small tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken during the procedure for further testing. This is painless and does not require any additional incisions.
Indications
Your doctor may recommend an OGD if you experience persistent upper abdominal pain or discomfort, frequent heartburn or acid reflux, difficulty or pain when swallowing, unexplained nausea or vomiting, vomiting blood or passing black stools, unexplained weight loss or anaemia, suspected stomach ulcers or gastritis, or for monitoring of conditions such as Barrett’s oesophagus or gastric polyps. An OGD may also be performed as part of routine surveillance for patients at higher risk of certain gastrointestinal conditions.
Key Benefits
Provides a direct view of the upper digestive tract
Helps diagnose the cause of symptoms accurately
Allows biopsies to be taken without surgery
Can detect ulcers, inflammation, polyps, and early cancers
Certain conditions, such as bleeding or small growths, can sometimes be treated during the same procedure
Minimally invasive with a quick recovery time
Common Questions
Most patients receive sedation and are comfortable throughout the procedure. You may have a mild sore throat afterwards, which usually resolves within a day.
The examination itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, although you should expect to spend a few hours at the clinic for preparation and recovery.
Yes. You will usually be asked not to eat or drink for at least 6 hours before the examination.
No. If you receive sedation, you should arrange for someone to accompany you home and avoid driving or operating machinery for 24 hours.
No. The digestive tract does not have pain receptors that can feel the biopsy being taken.
