4 Important Facts About Gastroscopy: Let’s Do It and Let’s Not Be Afraid

28. Oktober 2025

2 Min. Lesezeit

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Gastroscopy is one of the most reliable ways to identify any stomach issues. However, for many people it causes panic to think of a tube being stuck somewhere in the body. Let's figure out the nuances of this procedure, why it cannot be replaced by ultrasound, and how to stop being afraid of it.

Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

Gastroscopy is one of the most reliable ways to identify any stomach issues.
1. Gastroscopies cannot be replaced by ultrasound diagnostics
2. Gastroscopies should be done regularly, even for healthy people

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Artikelautor

Dr. Yaro

Chirurg

1. Gastroscopies cannot be replaced by ultrasound diagnostics

The full name for this procedure, which we usually name gastroscopy, is FEGDS (Fibroesophagogastroduodenoscopy). During FEGDS, the stomach, esophagus, and duodenum are examined with a gastroscope (a long tube with illumination and a special lens), which is inserted through the mouth.

This procedure is not meant to harm the patient at all—it's just that the stomach ultrasound is uninformative and it is simply impossible to identify many diseases without the gastroscopy. Additionally, if the doctor discovers something dubious during the gastroscopy examination and suspects a tumor, he can immediately take a piece of material for histological examination.

2. Gastroscopies should be done regularly, even for healthy people

Serious stomach diseases, including oncological ones, do not manifest themselves in the early stages. They are often detected too late when the treatment is no longer effective. That is why gastroscopy is recommended for anyone over 30 years of age once a year as part of preventive medicine.

An unscheduled procedure is worth going through for people with symptoms such as pain when swallowing, difficulty passing food, heartburn, sudden weight loss, or the presence of blood in the vomit and feces. In the latter case, a colonoscopy will also be required.

3. Gastroscopies are fast

If the doctor decides to very carefully examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum 12, then FEGDS lasts no more than 4–5 minutes. When it comes to sampling neoplasms, the procedure can take up to 10 minutes.

4. Gastroscopies can take place under general anesthesia

Gastroscopy is a rather unpleasant procedure. In a standard situation, patients are given local anesthesia with lidocaine, and this is sufficient to minimize discomfort. However, people who are overly sensitive, have a pronounced gag reflex, or are not able to cope with fear will undergo anesthesia.

If FEGDS and a colonoscopy are planned at the same time, anesthesia is recommended in this situation as well. This is not a deep "anesthesia"—the patient falls asleep for only 15–20 minutes and wakes up easily without any side effects.

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