What can go wrong during a gastroscopy?

Sometimes, during a gastroscopy, the endoscope can accidentally damage a blood vessel, causing it to bleed. However, significant bleeding is very rare. Signs of bleeding can include vomiting blood and passing black or “tar-like” poo. The site of the bleeding can usually be repaired during a further gastroscopy.

What are the chances of dying from an endoscopy?

Infection is extremely uncommon with diagnostic EGD (1-5 per 10 million); perforation (tear) risk is 3 per 10,000; and risk of death is 1 per 100,000 (to give a perspective, the risk of being randomly shot at is 6 in 100,000). Bleeding risk from diagnostic EGD is extremely rare.

What’s the difference between an endoscopy and a gastroscopy?

An endoscopy is a procedure where a special camera is used to inspect the gastrointestinal tract. A gastroscopy looks inside the beginning of the gastrointestinal tract. A gastroscopy is performed under a light general anaesthetic.

How long does it take to recover from a gastroscopy?

Most people are able to resume normal activities after 24 hours. The operator writes a report and sends it to the doctor who requested the gastroscopy. The result from any sample (biopsy) may take a few days, which can delay the report being sent.

Has anyone ever died from a gastroscopy?

Our 2-institutional experience over the last decade shows that death after endoscopy is rare and occurs mostly with high-risk procedures or with patients with major comorbidities. Most deaths occurred promptly from aspiration pneumonia, cardiac arrest, or perforation-related sepsis.

Can a gastroscopy see the pancreas?

Upper endoscopy can be used along with x-rays to look at (and sometimes treat problems in) the pancreas and bile ducts.

Why would you need a gastroscopy?

A gastroscopy may be recommended if you have symptoms that suggest a problem with your stomach, oesophagus (gullet), or the first section of your small intestine (duodenum). Problems that are sometimes investigated using a gastroscopy include: abdominal (tummy) pain or stomach ache. heartburn or indigestion.

How long are you in hospital after a gastroscopy?

After the test you will be transferred to a recovery room and a nurse will care for you until you are awake. You can usually go home after about 2 hours. Make sure you have someone to drive you home as you will still be drowsy after the test. You should not drive and should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

What not to eat after a gastroscopy?

Avoid fried foods, fatty foods and large quantities of food. Things such as: scrambled eggs, toast, a sandwich are good choices. You may eat more food once you have tried something light to make sure you don’t become sick to your stomach. You may eat foods with fiber after the procedure.

What causes death during endoscopy?

Results: Death was directly related to endoscopy in 20 of 153 cases (13\%), most commonly due to gastrointestinal perforation or acute pancreatitis.

How safe is anesthesia for endoscopy?

Overall, the use of anesthesia services during endoscopy appears to be safe, but specific factors increase its risk. Some factors are patient related, such as older age and ASA 4/5 status, and some are associated with case complexity, including the use of general anesthesia and longer duration of anesthesia.

What are the risks of having a gastroscopy?

Gastroscopy is a very safe procedure but your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems after the test. Your doctor will make sure the benefits of having a gastroscopy outweigh the possible risks. If you have a biopsy you may have a small amount of bleeding. This usually stops on its own.

Is it safe to be sedated for a gastroscopy?

Sedation is usually safe, but it can occasionally cause problems, such as: Very rarely, complications from sedation can result in a stroke or heart attack. Sometimes, during a gastroscopy, the endoscope can accidentally damage a blood vessel, causing it to bleed. However, significant bleeding is very rare.

Can a gastroscopy tear the lining of your stomach?

During a gastroscopy, there’s a very small risk of the endoscope tearing the lining of your oesophagus, stomach or the first section of your small intestine (duodenum). This is known as perforation. If the perforation isn’t severe, it can usually be left to heal by itself.

Do I need to stay overnight after a gastroscopy?

You’ll need a friend or relative to take you home and stay overnight. Gastroscopy is a very safe procedure but your nurse will tell you who to contact if you have any problems after the test. Your doctor will make sure the benefits of having a gastroscopy outweigh the possible risks.