Oesophago Gastro Duodenoscope

An OGD is usually performed to evaluate symptoms of gastric bloating, acid reflux (heartburns), gastric pain or anemia. An OGD can determine if there are ulcers, gastritis or cancer in the stomach. Treatment may be performed through the endoscope during the examination. For example, heat treatment can be applied to a bleeding ulcer to stop the bleeding.

OGD is usually an outpatient procedure. It is performed on an empty stomach after an overnight fast, (at least six hours without food and water). The OGD is done with you lying on your left side. An anesthetic spray will be applied to the back of your throat to numb the area. In addition, an injection of a mild sedative will be given to put you into a light sleep and your pulse and oxygen level will be monitored with a finger-probe throughout the procedure.

The endoscope is then gently introduced. The entire process takes about 5 to 10 minutes. A biopsy of the tissue samples is also usually taken to determine the presence of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach, which may increase the risk of cancer and ulcer formation.

OGD is considered a very safe procedure, with less than 1 complication occurrence in 10 000 cases (0.01%). This includes bleeding and perforation, a puncture of the lining in the upper digestive tract, which may require surgical repair.

After OGD is completed, you will be brought to the recovery area for monitoring and observation. You should not drive or operate machinery on the same day. For this reason, someone else should preferably be available to accompany you home. An appointment will be scheduled to review the findings of the colonoscopy, answer any questions you may have and, if needed, discuss future treatment.

An alternative to OGD is a barium enema. This is an x-ray investigation involving drinking a white liquid (barium), afterwhich X-ray pictures are obtained. However, it is not possible to obtain a biopsy or perform treatment to the lining during barium enema. For this reason, an OGD is usually the preferred method of choice for evaluation of gastric disorders.