Esophagoggastroduodenoscopy

Also known as: upper GI endoscopy, EGD.

What is esophagogastroduodenoscopy?

If you have problems related to the esophagus, stomach or other parts of the upper GI tract, the doctor might request an esophagogastroduodenoscopy. It’s a test of these areas of the body that’s performed using an endoscope.

What happens during the procedure?

• The patient is given medicine to aid in relaxation and to go to sleep.
• Then an anesthetic is sprayed in the mouth to prevent gagging.
• Next, the endoscope (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into the mouth, down the esophagus, into the stomach and the upper small intestines.
• The endoscope has a light and a camera on it to observe the GI tract, take biopsies (small pieces of tissue) and correct certain problems if found at the time of the procedure.

Is any special preparation needed?

You’ll need to avoid food, drink and certain medications for a period of time before the test.

What are the risk factors?

Bleeding, infection or damage to surround organs are all possible risks of esophagoggastroduodenoscopy.

Reviewed by: Carrie Firestone Baum, MD

This page was last updated on: April 22, 2021 01:30 PM