Endoscopy
With the help of the procedure a correct diagnosis will be made in various conditions including extended stomach pain, bleeding, ulcers, tumors, deglutitive problem and many others; treatment will be undertaken when necessary.
How do you prepare for the procedure?
In order for the examination to be faster and more comfortable to you, please follow the following instructions:
1. You may take your heart medications (i.e. blood pressure, ect.) with small sips of water only. DO NOT take your diabetic medications if you have diabetes.
2. Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior to your procedure.
3. It takes approximately 20 mins to perform the procedure. After the examination, you will remain in the recovery area for 30 mins to 1 hour for observation.
4. It is imperative that someone accompany and drive you home after your procedure due to sedative and pain medications given to you will cause you to become drowsy. If you are working, please plan to take the day off.
What happens during the procedure?
Everything necessary will be performed by the doctor to help you go through the procedure the most comfortable way. Medical personnel will be carefully observing your condition. In case you are too anxious before the examination, they will give you a sedative injection.
To reduce your susceptibility to swallowing local anesthetic solution will be sprayed into your throat. You will be asked to hold a special mouthpiece which is used to introduce the endoscope through. You will be asked to relax your throat and then to make a swallow that the doctor will use to introduce the device in while carefully observing it visually.
Then air is started to be gently pumping in to expand the cavity of the gastrointestinal tract top bowel segment. Nothing should hinder your breathing during the procedure; so some people’s fear to choke is completely groundless.
Gastroscopy is a safe procedure and complications take place very rarely.
What do you expect after the procedure?
Some unpleasant sensation in your throat is typical during some time after the examination has been done. It usually passes in 30-60 minutes.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a highly informative investigation method that helps keeping you healthy and improving your health.
We perform colonoscopy – i.e. an endoscopic bowel examination – on a routine basis as part of screening or differential diagnosis for benign/malignant tumours and polyps.
Examination procedure
The bowel exam procedure involves looking at the rectum and colon from the inside, using a flexible device called a colonoscope, hence the term “colonoscopy”. Before the examination, the intestine must be clean, i.e. “flushed out”: this is a procedure that the patient will need to start the day before.
The device is thin (13 mm) and flexible. The tip can be angled in any direction by turning a thumb wheel on the handle, which is held by the doctor during the examination. A light source illuminates the probe, while a CCD chip (similar to that on a digital camera) transmits the image to a monitor. The device is inserted as far as the appendix, i.e. the beginning of the colon; in almost all cases, the end of the small intestine, the “terminal ileum” is also examined. During withdrawal, the intestine is inflated a little, to smooth its lateral folds as much as possible. Once back in the rectum, behind the sphincter, the examination is complete. We then attempt to remove as much air as possible (possibly by moving the device back up the intestine a little), since this can cause discomfort after the examination.
What to expect during a colonoscopy? Endoscopic examination of the colon is a fairly complex procedure in technical terms, so as much as possible trying to help doctors and nurses - are strictly follow their instructions. You might be uncomfortable during the study, but the doctor will take all measures that would reduce these unpleasant sensations. In many ways, the exact adherence to the instructions can reduce the discomfort.
Before the study, you will make an intramuscular injection of an anesthetic drug. In some pathological conditions necessary for diagnosis microscopic examination of the modified portions of the mucous membrane, which the doctor takes a special forceps - biopsy performed that extends the study for 1-2 minutes.
How to behave after the study? Drinking is possible as soon as the procedure is completed. Within a few hours after the study is best to lie on your stomach.
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.
How the Test is Performed
The scope is passed through your mouth or nose through your windpipe (trachea) and into your lungs. Going through the nose is a good way to look at the upper airways. Going through the mouth allows your health care provider to use a larger bronchoscope. If a flexible bronchoscope is used, you will probably be awake but sedated.
During the procedure:
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You will likely get medicines through a vein to help you relax.
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A numbing drug (anesthetic) will be sprayed in your mouth and throat. If bronchoscopy is done through your nose, numbing jelly will be placed in the nostril the tube goes through.
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The scope is gently inserted. It will likely make you cough at first. The coughing will stop as the numbing drug begins to work.
- Your provider may send saline solution through the tube. This washes the lungs and allows your provider to collect samples of lung cells, fluids, and other materials inside the air sacs. This part of the procedure is called a lavage.
- Sometimes, tiny brushes, needles, or forceps may be passed through the bronchoscope to take very small tissue samples (biopsies) from your lungs.
How to Prepare for the Test
Follow instructions on how to prepare for the test. You will likely be told:
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Not to eat or drink anything for 6 to 12 hours before your test.
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Not to take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood-thinning drugs before your procedure. Ask the provider who will do your bronchoscopy when to stop taking these drugs.
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Arrange for a ride to and from the hospital.
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Arrange for help with work, child care, or other tasks, as you will likely need to rest the next day.
Usually, the test is done as an outpatient procedure and you will go home the same day. Some people may need to stay overnight in the hospital.
When the anesthetic wears off, your throat may be scratchy for several days. After the test, your ability to cough (cough reflex) will return in 1 to 2 hours. You will not be allowed to eat or drink until your cough reflex returns.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
What is an ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)?
ERCP is a special test used to diagnose diseases that affect the pancreas, bile ducts, liver, and gallbladder. A narrow flexible tube with a light is used for this test. The tube displays an image of the opening that drains the bile ducts and pancreas on the TV screen for the doctor to see. A thin plastic tube is then inserted into this opening, X-ray dye is injected, and then special x-rays are taken.
What preparation is required?
Your stomach must be empty. Before the test, you should have nothing to eat or drink after midnight, except a small amount (6oz) of clear liquids up to 3 hours before the test. Consult with your doctor regarding any changes in your medications on the day of the test.
Please inform your doctor if you have an allergy to fish or x-ray dye.
What should you expect during the test?
Your doctor will give you medication through a vein to make you feel relaxed. It is important that you lay still and not talk during the test. You will lie on your stomach for the test. The tube will be put into your mouth and then the doctor will ask you to swallow.
A nurse will be with you before, during and after the test.
What happens after the ERCP?
After the test is done, you will be moved to the recovery area of the Endoscopy unit. You will rest for one hour or until the effects of the medication have worn off. Your throat may feel sore for a couple of hours. You may feel fullness in your stomach because of the air used during the test.
