EGD

An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) allows your physician to view the inside of your esophagus (food tube), stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine.) When passed through the mouth, a thin, flexible, rubber-like coated tube, called an endoscope, will provide direct visualization of these areas. The actual procedure lasts only a short time.

What to Expect

Since you will receive medication that is sedative in nature, you will not be able to drive a motor vehicle until the next day, following the procedure. Be sure to have a friend or relative available to drive you home after the procedure. A taxi, bus or government issued transportation is not permitted unless you are accompanied by a responsible adult. Please contact us if you need assistance. We will be happy to provide you with some resources for transportation assistance.

One of our nurses will be contacting you two days prior to your procedure to obtain your medical history and review your preparation instructions. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have at that time.

You will be asked to sign a consent authorizing the procedure.

Please wear comfortable clothing and stable shoes. Leave jewelry and other valuables at home. You will be asked to change into a patient gown.

During the Procedure

If applicable, you will be asked to remove dentures and/or glasses. During the examination, monitoring devices will be attached which measure your heart rate, heart rhythm, blood pressure and blood oxygen level.

A biopsy (a tiny bit of tissue) may be taken for microscopic examination. You will feel no discomfort when the biopsy is done. The specimens are sent to a pathologist for examination.

After the Procedure

Any discomfort following the procedure is generally limited to a mild sore throat and/or the need to “burp” the air that had been put into your stomach during the examination.

Finally, expect a courtesy call from one of our nurses, the day following your procedure.