Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

It is very important that you stop drinking or eating starting at midnight before your procedure.

What to bring with you:

• your health insurance card;
• a list of your medications;
• a list of your allergies;
• your eye glasses;
• hearing aids or other prostheses.

Do not bring:

• valuables (remove your jewellery and  piercings);
• nail polish;
• perfume.

An esophagogastroduodenoscopy is often performed without sedation. You will therefore be able to return home immediately after your examination.

If you receive a sedative during your procedure:

A family member or friend must accompany you back home. Please make the necessary arrangements before arriving at the hospital. It would not be safe for you to return home alone. Your procedure may be postponed if you have no one to accompany you. In this case, you may choose to undergo your procedure without sedation.

On arriving in the Endoscopy Unit

• You will be asked to remove your clothing and wear a hospital gown.
• A nurse will take your blood pressure and pulse.
• The nurse will check your medical history.
• If you require a sedative, the nurse will insert an intravenous access to your arm.
• You will then be directed to the waiting room.

Examination procedure

• Someone will walk with you to the endoscopy room.
• You will be able to speak with your physician for a few minutes before the examination begins.
• A nurse will be present throughout the procedure.
• Your throat will be frozen with an aerosol spray to dull your swallow reflex.
• You will be placed lying down on your left side.
• The physician will ask you to swallow the endoscope, which is smaller than the food you eat. This step can be somewhat unpleasant, but is not painful.
• You will be able to breathe normally at all times.
• The physician will have to pump a little air into your stomach to examine it properly. As a result, some passing of gas or burping may follow.

If you received a sedative:

• You will be taken in a gurney to the recovery room.
• You may rest for about twenty minutes.
• You may then get dressed.
• The person accompanying you will meet you in the waiting room.
• Your physician’s office calls to schedule an appointment to discuss the results of your exam.

Back home

• To perform your endoscopy, we freeze your throat with an aerosol spray. This product prevents you from swallowing normally.
• To avoid choking, do not eat or drink for 30 to45 minutes after your procedure.
• We then recommend that you take small sips of cold water. Once the water goes down well, you can resume your regular diet.
• You may experience abdominal cramps, bloating and/or burping. These symptoms should go away in a few hours.
• You may feel tickling or pain in your throat for a few days.
• For relief, use throat lozenges, drink liquids or gargle with warm salt water.

If you were given a sedative, we advise you to follow these instructions for the next 24 hours:

•  Do no operate a motor vehicle.
•  Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
•  Limit your intake of sleeping pills or anxiety medication.
•  Avoid activities that require coordination and alertness.

Contact your physician or go to the nearest emergency room:

• If you experience shortness of breath or chest pain;
• If you feel considerable pain when you swallow;
• If you vomit up blood;
• If you are feverish or have chills in the 24 hours after the exam;
• If you have dizzy spells accompanied by fainting;
• If you notice blood (red or black) in your stool.

Follow your physician’s instructions.