Gastrointestinal endoscopy is the best study currently available to detect mucosal diseases of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.

In addition to providing excellent diagnoses, it allows us to take mucosal biopsies and perform a multitude of therapeutic procedures, thus avoiding surgeries.

This study is performed by means of an instrument called an endoscope, which is a flexible, illuminated tube that is inserted through the mouth, allowing observation of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine). It is generally performed with the patient superficially anesthetized.

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This exam helps to determine and study various diseases or pathologies of the upper digestive tract such as: causes of bleeding or anemia, swallowing difficulties, presence of hiatal hernia, ulcerations or inflammation, possible causes of abdominal pain, the state of the stomach and duodenum after of an operation, the presence of tumors or other abnormalities of the upper digestive tract.

If necessary, tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken for study and even perform procedures to control bleeding, remove lesions or polyps, dilation of narrow areas, placement of probes, removal of foreign bodies, etc.

In most cases, an IV is inserted into the arm to administer medications and/or sedatives during the procedure. During the study you will not feel any discomfort.

The exam takes approximately 10 to 30 minutes. There are limitations of the study, such as when there is a narrowing that prevents the passage of the device itself or the lesion is located in a region that is difficult to review.

Complications with this procedure are very rare, but they can occur occasionally and mainly consist of infections, bronchial aspiration, perforation, and hemorrhage.

The complications of anesthesia as such can also occur, independently of the complications of the procedure itself.