gastroscoop

Gastroscope, commonly referred to as gastroscope, is a flexible endoscope designed to examine the stomach and the upper gastrointestinal tract. It is used for diagnostic visualization, tissue sampling, and therapeutic interventions such as polyp removal and bleeding control. The term gastroscoop is also encountered, though gastroscope is the standard English term.

Design and technology: Modern gastroscopes are flexible, camera-equipped devices with one or more working channels for instruments. They may be fiber-optic or digital and are typically around 100–110 cm long, enabling insufflation with air or carbon dioxide to optimize visibility.

Indications and procedures: Indications include dyspepsia, upper GI bleeding, suspected ulcers, gastritis, polyps, tumors, or surveillance in high-risk patients. The examination is usually performed under sedation or anesthesia and involves passing the scope through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, with targeted biopsies, cytology, polypectomy, dilation, foreign-body retrieval, or hemostasis as needed.

Preparation and aftercare: Patients fast for several hours before the procedure. Local throat anesthesia is common; most cases use sedation. Post-procedure monitoring is typical, with advice against driving for several hours.

Risks and alternatives: Complications include bleeding, perforation, infection, and adverse reactions to sedation; overall incidence is low. Alternatives include non-endoscopic imaging or radiation-based studies, though endoscopy provides direct visualization and tissue diagnosis.

History: Flexible gastroscopy emerged in the mid-20th century with advances in fiber optics, with video endoscopy becoming standard in the late 20th century.