Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS)

An OGDS is a specialized examination where a small scope is passed through your mouth, down your food pipe (oesophagus) into your stomach and down to your duodenum (first part of the small intestines).

Who Should Get an OGDS?

• People with persistent gastric pain or discomfort, reflux symptoms, unresponsive to medical therapy
• People who have difficulty swallowing
• Anyone with an obvious mass in the gastric region, having unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
• People diagnosed with H. pylori but not responding to triple therapy
• People with evidence of old blood in stool (usually stool would be black due to oxidized old blood)

About the Procedure:

• You will need to fast 6-8 hours before the procedure to ensure your stomach is empty
• You will need to do a bowel prep the night before the procedure to clear your bowels so that the rectum and colon is easily visualized. Our doctors will explain to you clearly and you will also get a written guideline for this.
• This procedure is done under sedation (not fully asleep, drowsy only). This will require an intravenous line.
• It is a day-care procedure. You do not need to be admitted overnight.
• The entire procedure usually takes approximately 30-60 minutes.
• You will need somebody to drive you home after the procedure as driving after being sedated is not advisable.
• A full report of the endoscopy, with a video (CD) of the procedure will be provided to you once you have recovered from the sedation.
• In the event of any abnormal gastroscopy findings and any further treatment required, the doctor will set an appointment as a follow-up.