Upper Endoscopy

An upper endoscopy, also known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a procedure used to determine the cause of gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms including acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, swallowing difficulties, upper abdominal pain, etc. An upper endoscopy lets your doctor examine the lining of the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine).

This procedure is the best option for a physician to determine the cause of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and it is also more accurate than an x-ray for detecting inflammation, ulcers and tumors of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Your doctor might use upper endoscopy to obtain a biopsy (small tissue samples) to distinguish between benign and malignant (cancerous) tissues.

Upper endoscopy is also used to treat conditions, such as Barrett’s esophagus, with radio frequency ablation. Your doctor can pass instruments through the endoscope to directly treat many abnormalities, causing little or no discomfort.

What Happens During an Upper Endoscopy?
You may be given a sedative to relax and your throat may be sprayed with a local anesthetic. You will lie on your left side, and your doctor will pass a lighted, flexible endoscope into your mouth. You may feel some pressure, but you should not feel pain. Your doctor might ask you to swallow as the endoscope passes down your throat. A plastic mouth guard is usually used to protect the endoscope from your teeth.

A tiny camera at the tip of the endoscope will transmit images to a monitor for your physician to view. If your physician is using tools to obtain a biopsy, he/she will use the monitor to guide the tools used. Often patients report little or no discomfort with the procedure, and many patients fall asleep.

At the end of the exam, the endoscope is slowly withdrawn. The procedure takes about 5 to 20 minutes, depending on why the test is being performed and what your physician finds.

What are the Outcomes with Upper Endoscopy?
The timeframe it will take for you to receive results from your upper endoscopy will be determined by your situation. If a tissue sample was collected, it may take a few days for the testing laboratory to return your results to your physician. Ask your doctor when you can expect to hear your results.

Preparing for an Upper Endoscopy
Your doctor will give you specific instruction to follow to prepare for your upper endoscopy. Generally, because an empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, you will be instructed to not eat or drink, with the exception of water, for approximately 6 hours before your procedure.

What Happens After an Upper Endoscopy?
Immediately following an upper endoscopy, you will spend some time resting in recovery while the sedation medication, if used, wears off. Upper endoscopy is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you can have your procedure in an ambulatory surgery center, which can provide better accessibility and ease compared to a hospital.

Once home, some patients report symptoms of bloating, cramping or a sore throat, but these symptoms should be mild and improve with time. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.