Examination of the stomach using a type of endoscope inserted through the mouth. Although the term specifies examination of the stomach, the oesophagus and duodenum are also inspected during the procedure, which is more correctly known as OGD (see oesophagogastroduodenoscopy). Gastroscopy, in which the patient is usually sedated, is used to investigate symptoms such as bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract and disorders of the oesophagus, stomach, or duodenum. Attachments to the instrument enable a biopsy to be taken and treatments such as laser treatment to be carried out. A gastroscope may also be used to ease the passage of a gastric feeding tube through the skin (see gastrostomy).
Gastroscopy |
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