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Preparation for gastric endoscopy
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Preparation for gastric endoscopy may have some features depending on the nature of the examination (scheduled or emergency), as well as the general condition of the patient. For planned endoscopies, the patient should not eat for at least 4 hours before the examination. 3 hours before the procedure, the patient is given seduxen (one tablet - 0.005 g) or another tranquilizer. 20-30 minutes before the examination, premedication with anticholinergic agents is performed (0.5-1 ml of 0.1% solution of atropine sulfate, metacin or 0.2% solution of platifillin). Easily excitable patients are given 30-50 mg of 2.5% solution of diprazine (pipolfen). Local anesthesia is administered 5 minutes before endoscopy. The patient is seated on a chair. He opens his mouth wide and sticks out his tongue. The back wall of the pharynx and the root of the tongue are treated with a 1-2% lidocaine solution by rinsing or irrigating, then the patient is asked to swallow (to anesthetize the opening of the esophagus). After 3-6 minutes, the patient experiences a feeling of numbness in the throat, difficulty swallowing, a sensation of a foreign body, which indicates the onset of anesthesia and the patient's readiness for examination.
The question of gastric lavage is controversial, since lavage injures the mucous membrane, and the contents of the stomach can provide additional information. The stomach should be washed in the following cases:
- In case of pyloric stenosis. 1 day before the examination, the stomach is washed in the morning and evening until the water is clear.
- With cardiospasm of III and IV degrees.
[ Position of the subject during gastric endoscopy
The most convenient position for endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract is the position on the left side. In some cases, it is necessary to change the patient's body position (turning onto the stomach, onto the right side, etc.). Therefore, it is advisable to conduct the examination on a special table with a lifting foot and head ends, with the ability to turn it in one direction or another.
The patient is placed on a table or couch on the left side. The left leg is straightened, the right leg is bent at the knee and brought to the stomach, or both legs are bent and pulled up. The arms are pressed to the body. An oilcloth pillow is placed under the head. The room is darkened.