Therapeutic Gastroscopy

A therapeutic gastroscopy is a procedure used to treat conditions with your upper digestive tract. Usually these conditions will have been previously diagnosed during a diagnostic gastroscopy.

What is a therapeutic gastroscopy?

A therapeutic gastroscopy uses the same techniques and instruments used in a diagnostic gastroscopy where a thin flexible tube with a light and camera attached is used to view your oesophagus, stomach and the first part of your upper intestine.  

What conditions are treated using therapeutic gastroscopy?  

A therapeutic gastroscopy can be used to treat problems with the oesophagus, stomach and upper intestine (duodenum). This includes:

Controlling bleeding

Various conditions may cause bleeding to occur inside the stomach or oesophagus. These include stomach ulcers and enlarged veins. Medications may be injected directly or other instruments may be used to stop the bleeding.

Widening the oesophagus

Many conditions (including GORD and oesophageal cancer) can cause the oesophagus to become narrowed. This is often referred to as a stricture or stenosis and may lead to pain and swallowing difficulties. Instruments may be used to gently stretch and widen the oesophagus to temporarily relieve these symptoms.

Removing growths

Dr Hopkins may use a gastroscopy to remove any cancerous tumours, non-cancerous growths (polyps) or foreign objects from any part of your upper digestive tract.

Removing blockages

When your oesophagus has become blocked by cancer or injury, food and fluid may not be able to pass from your mouth to your stomach. Dr Hopkins may use a therapeutic endoscopy to insert a flexible tube known as an oesophageal stent to open the blocked part of your oesophagus to allow you to eat and drink more easily.

Providing nutrients 

When you are unable to eat in the normal way a therapeutic gastroscopy may be used to guide a feeding tube into the stomach.

Therapeutic gastroscopy: preparation and after care

While the preparation and after care are the same as a diagnostic gastroscopy, the procedure may take slightly longer depending on the conditions being treated.

Dr Hopkins will see you after your procedure to update you on your treatment. You will also be given information to take home, including any after care instructions, and details for follow up appointments.