GASTRIC BOTOX
GASTRIC BALLOON
COLONOSCOPY
GASTROSCOPY
ERCP
What is gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is an imaging method that allows direct visual inspection of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. This process is performed with the help of a thin, soft and bendable tube-shaped instrument with a light and micro camera at the end.



Figure 1. Gastroscopy

When is gastroscopy necessary?
* In the diagnosis of diseases related to the esophagus such as difficulty in swallowing, burning and pain behind the chest, bitter water in the mouth, pain in the upper part of the abdomen, burning, souring, nausea, vomiting, anemia resistant to treatment, weight loss of unknown origin, suggesting stomach and duodenum,
* In determining the cause of upper digestive system bleeding, which is manifested by fresh blood coming from the mouth and coffee grounds-like vomit or black stools, and
* In the diagnosis of esophageal and stomach cancers,
* Gastroscopy is a more reliable method for detecting inflamed areas, small ulcers and tumors than medicated gastric film. In addition, there is a chance to take a painless biopsy with the help of a thin instrument passed through the gastroscope.
* Again, with the help of special instruments passed through the gastroscope, it is also possible to widen strictures, remove tumors called polyps without the need for surgery, remove ingested foreign bodies and treat bleeding.

Can I eat or drink anything before gastroscopy?
For a good examination, your stomach should be completely empty. For this purpose, you should not eat or drink anything for 8 hours before the operation.

There are drugs that I am constantly using, what should I do?
You can take most drugs that you need to use continuously (such as blood pressure, heart, thyroid drugs) 3 hours before the procedure together with a small amount of water. However:
* If you are using aspirin, you should stop it at least 7 days before the procedure, and if you are using rheumatism drugs, iron or vitamin drugs you should also stop using them 5 days before.
* If you are taking medication for diabetes or if you are using blood thinners (such as Coumadin), you should warn your doctor about this. These drugs will need to be discontinued.
* If you have had rheumatic heart valve disease, previous endocarditis or heart valve replacement surgery, inform the endoscopy nurse and your doctor about this, as you will need to use preventive antibiotics before endoscopy.

What should I bring with me when I come?
* Leave your jewelery and valuables at home on the day of the operation.
* You should definitely bring your endoscopy request form, your previous examinations on your disease, and your previous endoscopy reports, if any.

Will I feel discomfort during gastroscopy?
In our endoscopy unit, we apply a special anesthesia called “Conscious Sedation” with drugs given intravenously to all our patients. In this method, you will not have a complete loss of consciousness as in general anesthesia, but you will become quite relaxed and sleepy, and you will not be disturbed by the operation. In addition, when you wake up after gastroscopy, you will usually not remember the procedure at all, thanks to the special effect of the drugs used. Most importantly, you will definitely not have pain, shortness of breath or nausea-vomiting during the operation.

Can I return home with my car?
No. Since the drugs given during gastroscopy can cause drowsiness, dizziness and distraction, you should not drive for at least 8 hours after the operation and stay away from work that requires attention. For this reason, you should definitely bring a relative who can help you on your way home.

How will the gastroscopy operation be performed?
* All your procedures will be performed by an experienced gastroenterology specialist or gastroenterology research assistants.
* Your doctor will inform you of the operation to be performed and the problems that may be encountered, make a detailed medical inquiry and then ask you to sign a consent form stating that you consent to the operation.
* After you are taken to the endoscopy room, you will be asked to wear a special patient gown and remove your glasses or dentures, if any.
* After you are taken to the endoscopy room, you will be asked to wear a special patient gown and remove your glasses or dentures, if any.
* Before starting the operation, a numbing medicine will be sprayed into your mouth to prevent nausea and burping, and then a mouthguard will be placed between your teeth. This mouthguard will not interfere with your breathing.
* Throughout the operation, you will be lying on your left side.
* After you are given sedatives intravenously and you are well relaxed, your doctor will advance the endoscope orally into your stomach (see figure 2). Gastroscopy is not a procedure that prevents you from breathing.
* The process will take an average of 10-15 minutes.


Figure 2. Gastroscopy Operation

What will be done after gastroscopy?
* After the operation, you will stay in the rest room under the supervision of a nurse for about half an hour until the effect of the sedative drugs wears off.
* After you recover, you will be informed in detail by your doctor of gastroscopy findings.

Are there any risks to gastroscopic examination?
During the gastroscopic examination, problems such as side effects of sedative drugs, bleeding and perforation in the intestines may be encountered. However, the possibility of encountering such a problem is extremely rare and can be treated with blood transfusion or surgery if necessary. If you have severe abdominal pain, fever, chills, bloody stools or severe vomiting within 72 hours after the operation, please inform us.

Are the tools used disinfected?
All instruments used after each patient undergoing gastroscopy are first subjected to mechanical cleaning and disinfected by keeping them in 2% Glutaraldehyde solution for 15 minutes. In addition, microbiological culture studies of the endoscopes used are carried out regularly (every month) under the supervision of a microbiologist at our hospital, and controls are performed on the adequacy of the disinfection process.



Assoc. Prof. Ahmet Tekin

General Surgeon