Having a gastroscopy

Having a gastroscopy a guide for patients and their families depar tment of sur ger y Contents Welcome to the Endoscopy Unit 1 Why do I need a gastroscopy? 1 What is the bene t of a gastroscopy? 1 Are there any alternatives to a gastroscopy? 2 What happens if I decide not to have
a gastroscopy? 2 Is gastroscopy safe? 2 Will I feel anything during the gastroscopy? 2 What must I do before my gastroscopy? 3 How long will I be in the hospital? 3 How do I get to the Endoscopy Unit? 4 What happens before my gastroscopy? 4 What happens during the gastroscopy? 4 What happens after the gastroscopy? 4 When you go home 5 Christie Website Many of the Christie booklets and a list of UK help groups are available
on the Christie website, the address is below. You can also access
other patient information sites in the UK such as Cancerbackup and
Cancerhelp UK via the Christie website. www.christie.nhs.uk 1 Welcome to the
Endoscopy Unit Your doctor has recommended that you
have a gastroscopy. This is a procedure
using a special tude to look at the lining
of your gullet (oesophagus), your stomach
and rst part of the intestine (duodenum). We want to make you as comfortable as possible
during your stay. We have written this booklet to answer
the commonly asked questions about gastroscopy. If you
have more questions, or if there is anything that you do not
understand, please ask when you attend for the gastroscopy. If you are diabetic, take Warfarin tablets or have an arti cial
heart valve, please let us know before the day of your
appointment. Tel 0161 446 8045 between 9am and 5pm. Why do I need a gastroscopy? The procedure may help to nd the cause of your symptoms
or even to treat them. Samples (biopsies) may be taken during
your gastroscopy to obtain exact information about any
abnormality seen. This will help to plan the best treatment for
you. What is the bene t of a gastroscopy? The main bene t of a gastroscopy is that it is a simple, quick
test which is helpful in reaching a diagnosis. It can also
sometimes be used as a way of delivering treatment. 2 2 Are there any alternatives to a
gastroscopy? An alternative to a gastroscopy could be a barium swallow or
a barium meal x-ray. These tests are frequently less accurate
than a gastroscopy. The doctor will discuss this with you. What happens if I decide not to have
a gastroscopy? The symptoms may persist and it may be hard to reach a
diagnosis. Is gastroscopy safe? It is a very safe procedure. The commonest side e ect is a sore
throat. Serious complications, such as bleeding or damage
to the gullet are rare (less than 1 in 1,000 gastroscopies). The
doctor will discuss these with you when you arrive at hospital.
There is a slight risk to crowned teeth or bridgework. Will I feel anything during the
gastroscopy? The procedure is performed using either anaesthetic spray
to numb your throat or an injection into a vein to make you
sleepy (sedation). Your doctor will help you decide which is
best for you. Anaesthetic Spray allows you to stay awake, enabling you to talk to the doctor about the results immediately after the gastroscopy allows you to recover quickly allows you to go home without delay 3 3 allows you to drive home after the procedure you will be aware of the procedure being performed Sedation (injection) may make you drowsy may make you unable to remember the procedure may make you less anxious you will take longer to recover if sedation is given you will not be able to drive home after sedation you will need an adult to accompany you when you go home after sedation for a morning procedure the adult must stay with you until early evening for an afternoon procedure the adult must stay with you overnight What must I do before my
gastroscopy? do not eat for at least 6 hours before your gastroscopy you may have clear liquids up to 2 hours before your
gastroscopy do take your tablets and medicines as usual on the morning of your gastroscopy How long will I be in the hospital? Please allow for a two hour stay. We will do everything possible
to keep your stay short. Patients not having sedation usually
have a shorter stay. 4 4 How do I get to the Endoscopy Unit? There is a map of the Christie Hospital and the local area on the
back of the booklet. When you arrive at the Oak Road entrance
the reception sta will direct you to Endoscopy. This is part of
the Surgical Theatre Suite. What happens before my gastroscopy? The doctor doing the gastroscopy will discuss the procedure
with you. When you feel all your questions have been
answered, the doctor will ask for your written consent to
proceed. What happens during the
gastroscopy? The doctor will discuss this with you before starting. If you have
requested sedation, a small needle will be put in a vein in your
hand or arm and oxygen will be given through a tube under
your nose. Alternatively, if you are not having sedation, the
doctor will apply the throat spray before the procedure begins.
A plastic mouth guard will be placed between your teeth and
the gastroscope tube passed into your mouth and down into
the stomach. This may be a little uncomfortable but should not
make it di cult to breath. The test usually takes only a couple
of minutes. Samples (biopsies) are sometimes taken from the
oesophagus, stomach or duodenum during the procedure. This
is not painful. What happens after the gastroscopy? If you had no sedation you can go home when you are ready. if you had sedation you will be taken to the recovery area. You will be monitored for at least one hour until you are fully
awake. You can go home after this with a responsible adult. 5 5 if you need any follow up, we will send you an appointment through the post. When you go home If you had sedation for your gastroscopy: DO NOT do any of the following until the day after your
procedure:- drive a vehicle sign legal documents operate machinery supervise children on your own drink alcohol Hot food and drinks are best avoided for the rest of the day if your
throat is sore. You should be ready to return to normal activities by the next
day. Sore throat and mild upper abdominal discomfort are
common for some hours after gastroscopy. Symptoms more
severe than this should be discussed with:- your GP or, the Endoscopy team via our Secretary (9am 5pm) Tel: 0161 446 8045 or, on-call Surgical team via switchboard (out of hours 5pm- 9am)
Tel: 0845 226 3000 We will do our best to make your endoscopy as comfortable
and stress free as possible. If you need more information or
have suggestions about the care you have received, please
let us know phone 0161 446 8045. (If the answerphone is on,
please leave a message and we will call you back). Mr I McL. Welch Consultant Surgeon Christie Hospital Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX Christie Hospital Patient Information Service - May 2007 (review May 2010) www.christie.nhs.uk Christie Hospital Tel: 0845 226 3000 CHR/SUR/174/15.10.02 Stretford
Eccles
Urmston
The North
M6, M61 Sale
B5166 Altrincham M6 & South Gatley & Wilmslow Cheadle Stockport (2 miles) B.R. Station
East Didsbury
& Parrs Wood B.R. Station
Mauldeth Rd
Withington Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 0845 226 3000 (Visitors Car Park-Oak Road) B5166 M56 A560 Altrincham R oad Pri n
ces sR oad Jnc.5 M60 M60 Palat ine Roa d B5167 BarlowMoorRoadNellLane Princes s Ro ad Didsbury Road Mauldeth Road West Burton R oad Lapwing WilmslowR o
ad Wilm slow Roa d Mauldeth Road Kin gsw ay Fog Lane B5093 School Lane W
i
lmslow Road A5145 River Mersey Ma uld eth Road StockportRoad A5 103 Manchester City Centre in partnership with Cancer Information Centre on the glass link corridor near Oak Road Open: Monday to Friday* *Opening times can vary, please ring to check before making a special journey Tel: 0161 446 8100 Email: christie@Cancerbackup.org

Comments