GASTROSCOPY & COLONOSCOPY
What is endoscopy?
Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that examines the inside of the digestive tract using an endoscope, a long thin flexible tube with a tiny camera attached at the end.
Gastroscopy (also known as upper endoscopy) is a type of endoscopy which examines the inside lining of the oesophagus, stomach and the first part of the small bowel.
Colonoscopy is a type of endoscopy which examines the inside lining of the large bowel.
Gastroscopy
What are the indications for a gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is used to investigate symptoms such as
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding
- Bloating
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Swallowing difficulties
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
These symptoms may be caused by a wide range of disorders including
- Coeliac disease
- Hiatus hernia
- Gastric & duodenal ulcers
- Gastritis
- Gastric or oesophageal cancer
Gastroscopy is more accurate than imaging for detecting inflammation, ulcer or tumours.
How do I prepare for a gastroscopy?
Fasting. You will need to stop drinking and eating for approximately 6 hours before the procedure to ensure the stomach is empty. The hospital will contact you 1 working day prior to your procedure to advise fasting time.
Medications. You will be given instructions about when to stop your blood-thinning and diabetes medications. Most tablets can be taken on the day of the procedure with a sip of water.
How is a gastroscopy performed?
Gastroscopy is performed under a light anaesthetic (sedation). The back of your throat may be sprayed with local anaesthetic to make it numb and a small mouthguard is placed between your teeth to stop you from biting the endoscope. A sedative medication is given through a vein in your forearm. Once sedated and lying in a comfortable position of your left side, the endoscope is passed through the mouth and in turn through the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. The lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum is examined for abnormalities and biopsies (samples of tissue) may be taken. The procedure can take between 15 to 30 minutes.
What happens after the gastroscopy?
You will be monitored in the recovery area until the effects of the sedative medication have worn off. Your throat may be a little sore and you may feel bloated because of the air introduced into the stomach during the test. You will not be able to eat or drink for about an hour and may need to stay in recovery for up to 3 hours.
Because of the sedation given, it is important that you do not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol or make important decisions for 24 hours. A carer will be required to take you home. Full recovery is expected by the next day.
Dr Ling will inform you of your test results on the day of the procedure. A follow-up appointment may be made to discuss the test results more fully. The results of any biopsies will usually take 1 week.
What are the risks of gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy is a very safe procedure. Despite the highest standard of practice, complications can occur. The following possible complications are listed to inform not to alarm. There may be other complications that are not listed.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Perforation or tear of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum
- Aspiration pneumonia
Colonoscopy
What are the indications for a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is indicated for
- Investigation of symptoms such as abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, chronic constipation, chronic diarrhoea, rectal bleeding and weight loss
- Screening for colorectal cancer
- Surveillance for polyps & cancer if there is a previous personal history
Colonoscopy is considered to provide the most accurate assessment of the colon. However, no test is perfect and there is a risk that an abnormality may not be detected. A colonoscopy can miss lesions in around 5% of cases.
How do I prepare for a colonoscopy?
Bowel preparation. You will need to follow a special diet and take bowel preparation medication before your procedure. Printed instructions will be provided at time of your booking, or click here for instructions.
Fasting. You will need to stop drinking and eating for approximately 6 hours before the procedure. The hospital will contact you 1 working day prior to your procedure to advise fasting time.
Medications. You will be given instructions about when to stop your blood-thinning and diabetes medications.
How is a colonoscopy performed?
Colonoscopy is performed under a light anaesthetic (sedation). A sedative medication is given through a vein in your forearm. Once sedated and lying in a comfortable position on your left side, the endoscope is passed through the anus and guided through the colon. Once the endoscope has reached the opening to the small bowel, it is slowly withdrawn and the lining of the colon is examined again. In some patients, it may not be possible to navigate the endoscope through the full length of the colon - in such cases, further tests may be required.
Biopsy
If abnormal tissue is seen during the procedure, a biopsy (a small piece of tissue) may be taken by forceps passed through the endoscope. The tissue is sent to a pathologist for examination under a microscope.
Polypectomy
A polyp is an abnormal growth extending from the inner wall of the colon. They vary in size from one millimetre to a few centimetres and can develop into cancer if left untreated. If a polyp is seen during the procedure, it may be removed using special instruments passed through the colonoscope. The tissue is sent to a pathologist for examination under a microscope. Sometimes a polyp may not be removed endoscopically because it is too large or too difficult to reach - in such cases surgery may be required.
What happens after the colonoscopy?
You will be monitored in the recovery area until the effects of the sedative medication have worn off. You may feel bloated because of the air inserted during the procedure and this will pass over the next few hours. Rarely, you may pass a small amount of blood, especially if biopsies are performed.
Because of the sedation given, it is important that you do not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol or make important decisions for 24 hours. A carer will be required to take you home. Full recovery is expected by the next day.
Dr Ling will inform you of your test results on the day of the procedure. A follow-up appointment may be made to discuss the test results more fully. The results of any biopsies will usually take 1 week.
What are potential complications of colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy is a safe procedure. Despite the highest standard of practice, complications can occur. The following possible complications are listed to inform not to alarm. There may be other complications that are not listed.
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Perforation of the colon
What is the cost of colonoscopy?
For patients with private health insurance, there is No Gap billing from both Dr Ling and the anaesthetist (as long as you are covered for item number 32222). There may be out-of-pocket costs for the hospital excess.
For patients without private health insurance, the total cost including surgeon’s fee, anaesthetist’s fee and hospital fees is approximately $2800. There may be additional costs related to pathology services. You will be eligible to claim a portion of the fee (approximately $400) back from Medicare.
Dr Mary Ling has completed the Colonoscopy Recertification Program by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA). Dr Ling performs gastroscopy and colonoscopy at Gosford Private Hospital and Brisbane Waters Private Hospital on the Central Coast.
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