Upper Endoscopy

During the procedure

An upper endoscopy is a non-invasive procedure. You will receive a topical anesthetic in the back of your throat to prevent gagging and/or pain medicine or a sedative. The endoscope is then inserted and the doctor will examine the lining of your esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum.

Depending on what your doctor finds, he or she may perform other procedures such as removing tissue samples (biopsy) to test or treat bleeding.

Are there any risks to an upper endoscopy?

As with any medical procedure, there are risks and you should talk to your doctor about what they are. Your doctor will be able to explain the risks and answer any questions you may have.

Potential complications may include but are not limited to: bleeding or puncture of the stomach lining. Most people have nothing more than a mild sore throat after the procedure.

Recovery period for an upper endoscopy

Recovery times may vary, depending on the disease being treated. The procedure typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. You should be able to go home the same day.

This reference text contains information about a specific procedure and is provided by Boston Scientific Corporation for reference only. Please talk to your doctor about complete procedural information, potential risks, and questions you may have.

References

1. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), Upper Endoscopy. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/upperendoscopy accessed 1/08/2007, Updated November 2004. Pub #05-4333