Kansas City Upper Endoscopy Procedure

For the procedure you will swallow a thin, flexible, lighted tube called an endoscope (EN-doh-skope). Right before the procedure, the physician will spray your throat with a numbing agent that helps to prevent gagging. You may also receive pain medicine and a sedative to help relax during the exam. The endoscope transmits an image of the inside of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of these organs. The scope also blows air into the stomach; this expands the folds of tissue and makes it easier for the physician to examine the stomach.

Endoscopy allows the physician to see abnormalities that do not show up well on x-rays. These abnormalities can be things like inflammation or bleeding. The physician can also insert instruments into the scope to remove samples of tissue (biopsy) for further tests or treat bleeding abnormalities.

Possible complications of upper endoscopy include bleeding, perforation, or mild sore throat. However, such complications are rare. The procedure takes 20 to 30 minutes. Because of the sedation, you will need to rest at the endoscopy facility for 30 to 60 minutes, or until the medication wears off.