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.

Note: If you are coming for a follow-up examination, you must NOT stop taking your acid-suppressing medication!

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:

Due to the local anestetic gel, you will need to wait for 2 hour before drinking or eating.

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:

Complications associated with gastroscopy are very rare.
You may experience some soreness in the nose and throat afterwards and possibly a minor nosebleed.
In extremely rare cases, pneumonia, bleeding, or injury/perforation may occur.

If you experience bleeding, breathing difficulties, chest pain, or fever, you must seek medical attention immediately.

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 500 Danish Kroner as required by Danske Regioner.