Gastroscopy of the stomach and colonoscopy under anesthesia

Gastroscopy is one of the methods of research of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, consisting in endoscopic examination of the stomach, esophagus or duodenum.

The procedure is appointed if it is necessary to diagnose digestive tract diseases, to conduct a biopsy or during an operation. Indication for carrying out may include complaints of upset stomach or intestines, increased acidity in the form of heartburn, frequent eructations, pain in the stomach and intestines, which may indicate an ulcer, gastritis and duodenitis, the appearance of tumors of various etiologies.

For this study, a gastroscopy is necessary, with which the endoscopist conducts appropriate manipulations. The gastroscopy has the appearance of a tube that penetrates from the mouth through the esophagus into the stomach due to its flexibility and long size. Inside the gastroscopy there is an optical fiber, at the end of the device there is a camera that transmits video or photo images to the screen.

Endoscopic examination of the stomach is carried out using several methods:

• traditional (with anesthesia or preliminary sedation);
• endosonography (traditional gastroscopy using ultrasound to detect a tumor);
• capsular (consists in swallowing a capsule with a video camera by a patient, which later exits through the intestine, this procedure is of high cost);
• with sedation (the patient is immersed in sleep, during which the necessary manipulations are performed);
• gastroscopy under anesthesia (endoscopy using anesthesia).

[1], [2]

Indications for the procedure

The main indications for the use of gastroscopy under anesthesia are:

• the need to diagnose a patient;
• biopsy;
• surgical treatment of gastrointestinal pathologies;
• the procedure for young children;
• holding people who painfully suffer a traditional procedure, for example, when a vomitive reflex has triggered or the patient abruptly moves with painful sensations, which prevented the doctor from performing manipulations.

[3], [4], [5]

Preparation

When preparing for endoscopy of the stomach should be prepared in the first place morally. We need a psychological attitude and confidence in the need for a procedure.

First of all, the patient should undergo studies:

• on tolerability of anesthesia;
• on allergic reactions to anesthesia;
• general blood analysis;
• Coagulation assay;
• electrocardiogram (for people from 55 years old).

Based on the results of the analysis determine the possibility of completing endoscopy.

The day before the procedure should be abandoned the use of any medication, except for sedatives, which the specialist can prescribe before the gastroscopy for lack of excitement. Also, sedatives can be prescribed in case the patient can not fall asleep from the excitement before the forthcoming endoscopy of the stomach.

The last meal should occur about 12 hours before the procedure. 3 hours before the gastroscopy, you can not smoke. Immediately before the procedure, it is recommended to remove glasses and lenses, if the patient uses them, ornaments and precious objects, dentures. You should also empty your bladder.

In the clinic it is desirable to take napkins (wet and paper). You may need a personal towel, but in this case the patient will be warned before the procedure.

Preparing children for gastroscopy under anesthesia is no different from training adults.

For more information on how to prepare for endoscopy, see this article.

[6], [7], [8]

Technique of the gastroscopy under anesthesia

Such endoscopic procedures as colonoscopy and gastroscopy under general anesthesia are shown mainly in those cases when there is a need for surgical manipulation. This procedure is very painful for the patient, so anesthesia should be used. Also, thanks to anesthesia, the patient will not interfere with the doctor's natural reflexes of his body.

Gastroscopy for a child under anesthesia occurs necessarily before the age of 6 years, later you can not resort to anesthesia. Due to the delicate handling of the child's mucous membranes, specialists use endoscopes with small tubes (up to 9 mm).

Gastroscopy is performed by an endoscopist in a special room with the necessary equipment. The total time of manipulation often does not exceed 20 minutes.

First, anesthesia is used. Can be carried out:

• gastroscopy under general anesthesia;
• sedation (immersion of the patient in a dream);
• local anesthesia (performed by irrigation of the mucous tongue of the tongue with an anesthetic).

The first two methods force the use of special equipment and can cause a number of complications. Local anesthesia is the most suitable for carrying out endoscopy of the stomach, since it potentially has the lowest probability of complications

After applying local or general anesthesia, the patient should lie down (or put it) on his left side. The legs should be bent at the knee, and the back straight.

The patient is given a mouthpiece, which he clamps with his teeth. This is necessary for both protecting the teeth and protecting the endoscope itself, which the patient can damage with teeth. Next, the endoscope tube is inserted into the interior, and the patient should be constantly swallowed so that the tube moves down the esophagus. After that, the doctor starts to let the air through the gastroscope. This happens when he has already reached the stomach and is needed to smooth out all the folds that can be on the mucous GIT. At this point, swallowing is forbidden, saliva is collected by a nurse using a saliva ejector.

Thanks to anesthesia, all actions will be painless for the patient, and it will be convenient for the doctor to administer.

Contraindications to the procedure

Contraindications to gastroscopy under anesthesia include such conditions as:

• gestation period;
• asthma;
• absence of blood coagulability;
• postinfarction or post-stroke status of the patient;
• mental disorders;
• intolerance of drugs that are used for anesthesia.

It is worth noting that most of these contraindications can be leveled if the patient is in a state where a lethal outcome is possible. For the sake of preserving a person's life, the procedure can be performed with some contraindications.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13]

Consequences after the procedure of gastroscopy under anesthesia

The first two days after endoscopy of the stomach a person can experience:

• nausea;
• frequent regurgitation;
• bloating.

During this period, these symptoms are not a cause for concern. Periodically dizziness may occur.

If these symptoms do not pass after two days, you should consult a specialist.

[14], [15], [16]

Complications after the procedure

If the procedure of gastroscopy under anesthesia is carried out by a qualified doctor, the likelihood of complications is minimal. However, there are a number of complications, in the presence of which it is necessary to urgently contact the doctor. Among them:

• very painful sensation in the region of the stomach;
• heat;
• vomiting with blood;
• very dark and liquid feces;
• severe aspiration.

Complications are observed in 0.001% of all cases.

[17], [18], [19]

Care after the procedure

Before the end of the anesthesia (1-2 hours depending on the type of anesthesia) the patient is under the supervision of a doctor.

Return to the normal diet after local anesthesia can be after the tongue and throat numbness has passed.

The patient should be accompanied by a close person. About 12 hours after endoscopy of the stomach with anesthesia, you can not drive a car and drink alcohol. For more accurate conditions of life after the procedure should indicate the doctor.

[20], [21]

Reviews about gastroscopy under anesthesia

Most patients are satisfied with the procedure of gastroscopy under anesthesia and consider it a worthy replacement for the traditional one. Since the likelihood of complications is extremely low, if there are no contraindications, an endoscopic examination of the stomach with anesthesia is a convenient procedure that satisfies both the specialist and the patient in the technique of carrying out.