University College Hospital

Gastroscopy
Information for patients and carers
Endoscopy Department
Gastrointestinal Services Division

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Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Why is a gastroscopy done? 3
3. What are the risks of a gastroscopy? 4
4. What if choose not to have a gastroscopy? 4
5. What are the alternatives? 4
6. How do I prepare for the procedure? 4
7. Do I continue taking my medicines? 5
8. What happens when I arrive? 6
9. Asking for your consent 6
10. What happens next? 6
11. What happens during the procedure? 7
12. What happens after my gastroscopy? 8
13. What happens when I go home? 8
14. Important points to note 9
15. Where can I get more information? 10
16. Contact details 10
17. How to find us 11
18. Space for notes and questions 12

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1. Introduction
A gastroscopy is a procedure which allows us to look directly
at the upper part of your digestive system – the oesophagus
(or food pipe), stomach and duodenum (the first part of the
small bowel). The test is sometimes called an endoscopy or
an OGD (oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy). The
endoscopist passes a thin, flexible tube with a very small
camera at the end (called a gastroscope or endoscope)
through your mouth and into your stomach. The procedure
takes about five to ten minutes. The endoscopist may take a
small tissue sample.

2. Why is a gastroscopy done?

Gastroscopy is a test which helps your doctor find the
cause of symptoms including:

- Indigestion - Heartburn
- Losing weight without trying - Being sick (vomiting)
- Anaemia - Difficulty swallowing
- A lump in the throat

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3. What are the risks of gastroscopy?
Before you agree to this procedure, you will have the
opportunity to speak with the endoscopist so that you are
aware of the reason the procedure is being done, the
alternatives and the problems that can occur. For most
people a gastroscopy is a simple and safe procedure.
Unusual complications do sometimes occur and include
chest infections, damage or perforation (a hole) in the
oesophagus, stomach or duodenum wall, allergy to sedative
medication, bleeding or damage to teeth. Although
gastroscopy is the best procedure to help diagnose many
problems, no procedure is perfect. There is a small risk that
we might miss a lesion or other important finding during your
procedure.

4. What if I choose not to have a gastroscopy?

If you decide not to have the procedure it is very important
that you inform the Endoscopy Unit as soon as possible and
also the clinician who requested it. If the procedure is not
performed then it is possible that the cause of your
symptoms will not be diagnosed.

5. What are the alternatives?

Sometimes a CT scan can be performed as an alternative
to gastroscopy or you may have a barium swallow test
(where the barium will coat your digestive system and show
up the outline of the organs on an X-ray). However, these
tests often provide different information and are often done
as well as a gastroscopy. One disadvantage is that tissue
samples cannot be taken with a scan, whereas this can be
done with a gastroscopy.

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6. How do I prepare for the procedure?
Please do not eat for six hours before the procedure and
do not drink four hours before the procedure (this includes
milk in any drink). You may drink sips of water up to two
hours before the gastroscopy. If you are also having a
colonoscopy you should stop eating as instructed in the
colonoscopy information leaflet. Please bring a list of all the
medications you are currently taking with you on the day of
your gastroscopy.

If you would like sedation for the gastroscopy, please

arrange for someone to take you home and be with you for
24 hours after the procedure.

7. Do I continue taking my medicines?

If you are taking any blood thinning medications such as
warfarin, clopidogrel, rivaroxaban, apixaban or any
others you should continue these unless we give you
specific instructions about stopping them.

If you are diabetic and take insulin, it is important that you

continue taking your insulin but it is suggested that you
reduce your doses on the night before and on the day of
the test. If you take diabetic tablets, please do not take
them on the day of the gastroscopy until after it has been
done.

Please continue taking acid reducing medications such as

omeprazole and lansoprazole unless you are told to stop
them.

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8. What happens when I arrive?
When you arrive at the Endoscopy Unit please report to
the reception. From there a nurse will take you to
admissions, check your personal details, check your blood
pressure, and you will be asked to change into a hospital
gown. When it is time for your gastroscopy you will be
taken to the consenting room where you will meet the
endoscopist and be asked to sign a consent form.

Sometimes due to emergencies and other unforeseen

circumstances your appointment may be delayed. We try
our best to see everyone on time but please understand
that delays can occur and we ask for your patience in
these circumstances.

9. Asking for your consent

By law we must ask you to sign a consent form. This
confirms that you agree to have the procedure and
understand what it involves. The endoscopist will explain all
the risks, benefits and alternatives before he or she asks
you to sign the consent form. This is also an opportunity for
you to ask the endoscopist any questions you may have
regarding the procedure.

10. What happens next?

At this stage you will be asked whether you would like
sedation or throat spray to numb the back of the throat.
Throat spray does not sedate you and therefore you will
be able to go home directly after the procedure. Sedation
helps to relax you and is given via a needle in the back of
the hand or arm. You will feel sleepy but you will not be
unconscious and are usually aware of what is going on
around you.

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From there, we will take you into one of the endoscopy
rooms. You will be able to take your belongings with you
or they may be left with friends or relatives. Friends and
relatives can wait in the waiting room.

If you are having throat spray, a local anaesthetic will be

sprayed onto the back of your throat and you will then be
asked to lie on the trolley, on your left side.

After a few seconds your throat will go numb, which can

sometimes feel a little unpleasant. You will also need to
remove glasses or dentures if you have them. One of the
nurses will attach some equipment to you so we can
monitor your blood pressure and your oxygen levels.

If you are having sedation, the endoscopist will administer

the sedation via a small needle in the back of your hand.
This will take a few minutes to work. You may also be
given a small amount of oxygen during the procedure.

11. What happens during the procedure?

The endoscopist will start the procedure by passing the
camera into your mouth. The endoscopist will put air into
the stomach to make it easier to see the stomach lining.

It should not be painful but it may feel uncomfortable. The

pressure of the endoscope on the back of the throat can
be uncomfortable, as can air in the stomach.

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12. What happens after my gastroscopy?
If you have had sedation you will be taken to the recovery
area. You will be kept there for approximately one hour so
the effects of the sedation can wear off. Your blood
pressure and oxygen levels will be monitored during this
time.

If you have had throat spray, the nurse will accompany

you to the discharge lounge and you will be able go home
immediately. Unless you are unsteady on your feet or
usually require assistance with walking and travelling, you
will be able to go home unaccompanied. You will need to
wait until the numb feeling has worn off before eating and
drinking.

In both cases, one of the doctors or nurses will come to

explain the results of your gastroscopy. We will give you
an advice sheet for aftercare and details of who to contact
should you have any problems.

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13. What happens when I go home?
If you have had sedation you must bring someone with you
who can to take you home and stay with for 24 hours after
the procedure

Once you arrive home you may eat and drink as normal.

14. Important points to note

Do read page five and six regarding medication.
Do ask for an interpreter if you require one, hospital policy
states family or friends cannot interpret on behalf of the
patient.
Do ensure you have someone to take you home and stay
with you after the procedure, if you would like to have
sedation.

Do not drink milk four hours before the procedure.

Do not bring large sums of money or valuables to the
hospital as we cannot accept responsibility for loss or
damage.
Do not drive for 24 hours if you are having sedation.
Please have someone to take you home in a car, taxi or
public transport.
Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after sedation is given.
Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery for 24
hours after sedation is given.

If you have any problems after the procedure such as

bleeding, black tarry stools or abdominal pain please contact
us as soon as possible.

Contact information is provided on page 10.

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15. Where can I get more information?
www.nhs.uk/conditions/gastroscopy

www.patient.info/digestive-health/dyspepsia-
indigestion/gastroscopy-endoscopy

www.gutscharity.org.uk

16. Contact details

Endoscopy Booking Team (Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00)
Direct line: 020 3456 7022
Switchboard: 08451 555 000 / 020 3456 7890 ext. 67022
E-mail: uclh.endoscopy@nhs.net

Endoscopy Recovery (Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00)

Direct line: 020 3447 3282
Switchboard: 08451 555 000 / 020 3456 7890 ext. 73282

On-call Endoscopy Registrar (out of hours emergencies

only)
Switchboard: 08451 555 000 / 020 3456 7890

Address: Endoscopy Unit, University College Hospital, 2 nd

Floor Podium, 235 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BU

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17. How to find us

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 18. Space for notes and questions

Image used with the kind permission of Bupa

First published: June 2011 Date last review ed: April 2021
Date next review due: April 2023
Leaflet code: UCLH/S&CB/GI/ENDO/GASTROSCOPY/2
© University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

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