Gastroscopy is an endoscopic examination of the esophagus (food pipe), the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine)

This procedure is performed in order to determine the presence of conditions such as gastric or duodenal ulcers, gastritis, esophageal hernias or other changes.

Preparing for the procedure:

You may not eat 6 hours before the procedure. You may drink water until 2 hours before and you can take your usual medications with a little water.

If you wish to receive medication to help you relax during the procedure, you may not drive a car or ride a bicycle the rest of the day.

The procedure:

First, a local anesthetic cream will be applied in both nostrils. The procedure will take approx. 5 minutes and it will be performed while the patient is laying on the left side. A thin tube will be introduced through the nose. The procedure can also be performed though the mouth if the nostrils are too narrow. There will be plenty of breathing space regardless of the method.

We will ask you to swallow a couple of times so the endoscope slides easily into the esophagus and stomach.

The procedure is painless, but you might feel some discomfort as air is introduced in order to examine the mucous membrane properly. You might need to burp, but you will not throw up, as the stomach is empty.

After the procedure:

If you have received anesthetic spray in the throat, you will need to wait for 1 hour before eating. Otherwise, you may eat and drink immediately after the procedure. You will receive the result of the procedure immediately after and you can go home or to work. If biopsies were taken, the result will be available after 1 week and we will contact you.

Very important:

If bleeding, pain or high fever should appear after the procedure, please contact us immediately at the clinic’s telephone number: 33114448 or call the doctor on duty at telephone 1813.

Cancellation or failure to appear:

If you are unable to come to an appointment, please advise us as soon as possible or at the latest 24 hours before your appointment, so another patient can be scheduled for treatment. You can cancel electronically through our web site (under “kontakt klinikken”) or by phone: +45 33 11 44 48, where you can make a new appointment, if desired.

If you fail to appear for a consultation without cancellation in due time, you will be charged a fee of 250 Danish Kroner as required by Danske Regioner. If you fail to appear for a procedure or operation the fee will be 500 Kroner.