What is an endoscopy (gastroscopy)?

It is an examination of your oesophagus (gullet), stomach and duodenum (the first part of the bowel beyond the stomach). A thin flexible tube is passed through the mouth into the stomach. The test is performed as a day-case under light sedation or local anaesthetic sprayed on the back of the throat. The test is very quick and much easier than might be thought. It is important that you have nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours before the test. The test helps to diagnose acid reflux, hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer disease and other less common conditions including stomach cancer.

What is a colonoscopy?

It is an examination of the bowel performed by passing a thin, flexible tube, called a colonoscope, via the back passage and along the large intestine (colon). The test is usually performed as a day-case under mild sedation. This allows examination of the large bowel (colon) and last part of the small bowel (terminal ileum). It may be necessary to take a biopsy (small piece of tissue) for further investigation. This is done painlessly through the tube using tiny forceps. The test takes about 10-30 minutes to complete. The test sometimes picks up polyps (small projections of tissue) which are easily removed and prevent the development of bowel cancer. Sometimes a shortened version of this procedure called a flexible-sigmoidoscopy may be done instead.

An information leaflet on preparation for colonoscopy is available from Parkside Hospital pharmacy (0208 971 8000).

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